Don’t Miss the WI Bridge Center Section Vol. 55, No. 24 • March 26 - April 1, 2020 FIRST OF A TWO-PART SERIES
Cherry Blossoms Always Return
CBC Answers Calls from Concerned Black Americans Top Issues Include Stimulus Bill, Census and 2020 Vote By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir
4 Cherry blossoms reached peak bloom and social distancing was out the window for a little while. The National Park Service quickly shut down access to the park and it has been suggested that onlookers view the trees on-line. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
The Congressional Black Caucus [CBC] continues to convene teleconferences with the Black Press, elected officials, nonprofits and other interested African Americans providing updates on how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the lives and livelihoods of the Black community and what the future may hold. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), CBC chair, led the most recent conversation March 20 which focused on the stimulus bill
After Marshal Tests Positive in D.C., Inmate Safety is Questioned
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
A U.S. deputy marshal at the D.C. Superior Court tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a development underscoring the growing concern the disease may have on the courts and, by extension, the prison system. The novel coronavirus — or COVID-19 — had claimed more than 10,000 lives globally as of Friday. Cases of the disease have topped 244,500 globally. In the United States, the death toll has topped 200, and more than 14,000 people have been infected. While often overlooked, the nation’s jail and prison population could be among the most vulnerable. The marshal’s positive test could also mean that prisoners,
co-workers, and individuals associated with the court and jail could have been exposed. “As a result [of the positive test], we immediately notified those court staff who may have had contact with the deputy marshal and had both courtrooms and the holding cells that adjoin them thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” said U.S. Marshals Service spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz. Bloomberg News reported that U.S. courts across the country are trying to address the pandemic, including delaying hearings and jury trials and restricting courthouse access for those who have traveled to countries affected by the virus or closing courthouses off to the public outright. According to the Bloomberg report, recent changes
PRISONS Page 4
(estimated to be a package totaling up to $2 trillion dollars) which Congress hoped to approve in the coming days, the Census and the 2020 vote. “We’re in crisis across the nation but we cannot lose momentum,” Bass said referring to the importance of African Americans to reply to recently-mailed questionnaires from the U.S. Census Bureau as well as registering to vote and preparing for the General Election in November. “We really want to hear from you so you can tell us how the
CBC UPDATE Page 21
Distance Learning Programs Roll Out Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
District Officials Attempt to Bridge Digital Divide Among D.C. Students
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins This week, thousands of District students returning from the spring break spent their first day, not in the classroom, but at home engaged in video conferences, PowerPoint presentations and other online academic
activities coordinated by their teachers. Since D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) declared a public health state of emergency and ordered the shutdown of schools, administrators, teachers, parents and others had been preparing for what school officials have coined as distance
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Women Break the Cycle of Domestic Violence PRISONS from Page 1
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include the U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit suspending in-person oral arguments because of the coronavirus. Arguments may be held by teleconference, postponed or decided By Tia Carol without an oralJones argument depend-law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. WI Staff Writer Among the programs Marlow ing on a decision by the panel ofhad come together to bring a sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are judges hearing that case, according When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, to the report. The order will be in old daughter told her the father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families effect until further notice. of her daughter threatened her “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicAs of Friday, 66 D.C. jail inlife, and the life of their child, story, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessmates reportedly self-quarantined she knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further after the the marshal’s done. Outrevelation of her of frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement positive test. Each is believed to with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protechad someshe contact with ofhave the situation, decided to thewho reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselmarshal. start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. One inmate in the D.C. jailcase in such a way, the average paign. “If we are ever going to eradihas been tested the virus “It seems to be afor vicious cycle andperson can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must is awaiting that won't results turn as myof press familytime.end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. Prince George’s County State’shelp people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicloose,” Marlow said. Marlow Attorney Aishawith Braveboy soughtlogue about domestic violence. shared her story the auditim and the batterer,” Marlow to decrease the jail’s Heights population Also present at the event was said. ence at the District in UpperViolence Marlboro to minimizeMildred Muhammad, the exDomestic Symposium Marlow would also like to see courtesy of dc.gov) spread of District the novel coronavi-wife5 onthe May 7 at the Heights of(Photo John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise rus. ThereCenter. have been confirmedwhoBaltimore Municipal ThenosympoState Attorney was sentenced to six consec- Mariawareness children“Accordingly, in and among Brown wrote. sium themoreutivelynlifeMosby cases was at thesponsored jail, which by holds termssaid without parole public in a statement. “I we andurge private you schools. to put inShe place meaFamily andpeople Youthat capacity Services butby afirmly than 700 Maryland jurythat for his feels children to be educatbelieve we role can in promote sures toneed ensure that both the flow Center of only the city of 80. District the public currently houses Beltwayhealth Sniperand attacks in safety ed about public of domestic prisoners violence. into federal facilities Heights the National Mildred Muhammad is what“Weishave “Weand will consider Hookcases in2002. to stop being pas-and that at the same time, and that’s slowed significantly Up of Black Women. are chargedthe founder of policies After thewill Trauma, chil-should be which individuals these new achieve.”sive-aggressive prisonerswith who poor can and Marlow has written a book, thatNadler helps (D-N.Y.), the dren about domestic violence,” with low-level, nonviolent offens-an organization Reps. Jerrold released are released forthwith. We “Color Butterfly,” a onsurvivors of domestic violenceJudiciaMarlowcannot said. wait any longer to take aces or Me have a short which time isleft chairman of the House story four generations of inand ry theirCommittee, children. and Karen BassMarlow theirabout sentence,” Braveboy said tion.”has worked to break domestic violence. lived in fearsent forasix years. the cycleIn ofaabuse in hercall family, a statement. “OurThe goalbook is to issafely “I(D-Calif.) letter toSix Attorney telephone with the local inspired by her own experiences, in fear William is a long Barr time.urging It is him and is ABC confident policiesan sheinmate at and judiciously reduce the inmateyearsGeneral Newstheaffiliate, and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that population considering the public to take immediate steps to protect the D.C. Jail who said his name her mother her bydaughter. she said.Department personnel and process.was Robert Smith said the fear is health crisisand caused the corona-of,” Justice She said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to virus.” inmates under their watch. palpable among those locked up. excerpts from herand book, she still who want to help a Congress and implore them to Prosecutors defense attor-peopleBetween the Bureau of Prisons “They keep telling us, ‘don’t can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must change our Marlow said. neys in the District, Maryland and and the U.S. Marshal Service, worry,laws,” it’s nothing to be worried from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliVirginia have said they wouldn’t the department oversees about about,’ but they’re coming in here won the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” oppose similar releases in their ju- 250,000 convicts and inmates with masks and gloves on to get Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached risdictions. awaiting trial. the inmates,” Smith said. “Then, “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net “As prosecutors, we are commit“With large numbers of people when they take them out in the my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going tedbled,” to protecting the safety and living in close proximity to one hallway, they put masks on them, lips Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI wellbeing of everyone in presiour com- another, many of them elderly or too.” Elaine Davis-Nickens, munity, that includes people living with chronic diseases, DOJ WI Staff Writer William J. Ford dent of theand National Hook-Up who are currently in prison or of Black Women, said there is nojail,” must act now to save lives,” Nadler contributed to this story. WI consistency in the way domestic violence issues are dealt with by
“
We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws.www.washingtoninformer.com I will not stop until these policies are passed.
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L.Y. Marlow
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Churches, Charities Mobilize Amid Coronavirus Outbreak By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer Small children recently filled a parking lot at the THEARC in Southeast to pick up bag lunches served by staff from DC Central Kitchen. Outside the THEARC West building, people lined up behind a blue van filled with bags of vegetables distributed by staffers from Martha’s Table. At a time when schools remain closed and businesses such as gyms, movie theaters and clothing stories are ordered to close as nonessential establishments, charity continues to be filled by churches and nonprofit organizations.“We are here to serve the Ward 8 community anyway that we can,” said Scott Kratz, vice president of the nonprofit group Building Bridges Across the River. “During this [coronavirus] epidemic, it is important that we respond to immediate needs of the community and that is partnering with amazing nonprofits like Martha’s Table and the DC Central Kitchen.” Meanwhile, area churches have also shifted into high gear to assist others amid the coronavirus pandemic with similar events in the parking lots of Charles H. Flowers High School in Prince George’s County and the City of Praise Ministries in Landover. As of 10:50 p.m. Monday, the confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. slighlty exceeded 55,000. During that timeframe, approximately 349 cases in Maryland, about 290 in Virginia and 183 in the District. Also as of Monday, the virus, also called COVID-19, claimed the lives of nine people in Virginia, four in Mary-
land and two in D.C. “People are losing it. My brother drives a bread truck and he said that his colleague was robbed,” said Sean Brown, 39, a financial manager from Severn, Maryland. “They took his entire bread truck.” Such incidents, along with widespread panic-buying and hoarding that has left less-fortunate people in a quandary as supplies dwindle, have sparked a nationwide call for decency among U.S. citizens as the pandemic worsens. “If ever there is a time to practice humanity — it is now,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted Sunday. “The time to show kindness, to show compassion. New Yorkers are tough — but we are also the most courageous community that you have ever seen.” On Sunday, Brown, a husband and father of two, watched a taped worship service from the University Park Church of Christ and even though his church is closed, he and members of the men’s ministry opened a Zoom account to keep up with each other online. “God is still in control,” Brown said. With Easter less than a month away, Rev. Grainger Browning said he is holding Lenten services every morning at 6 a.m. so that people can start their day on a spiritual note. In addition, Browning is still preaching and streaming messages from his pulpit with members from his praise team. “There is concern about people dying, but I don’t think I hear a heart for the people who survive,” said Browning, whose church also operates a large food bank. “They literally don’t know how they are going to eat.” WI
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learning and the middle schoolers used Google teams where they had interactive lessons from their teachers,” Sharod Wade said. “Our oldest daughter likes it and was in tune with being able to self-pace in an atmosphere conducive to learning,” he added. “The biggest thing was taking out the awkwardness of adjusting from a primarily in-person school format to a virtual, self-paced format.” Since the launch of distance learning programs scheduled to go on until at least April 27, students of various ages have either worked on packets doled out before spring break, or conferred with their teachers on video
learning. This mass exodus to the web – designed to provide sequestered students with some continuity in their learning during an unprecedented time away from school – has provided some parents, like Sharod and Brittany Wade, the opportunity to inch closer to their family’s homeschool goals. The Wades say their children, who had been preparing for the transition to distance learning for nearly two weeks, entered their online math and social studies classes eager to soak in knowledge. “The younger ones did an overview of their class to get used to distance
5 Community lends a helping hand. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 5
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black facts
MAR 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB
MARCH 26
1831 – Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the first independent Black denomination in the United States, dies in Philadelphia at age 71. 1872 – Thomas Martin patents an improved fire extinguisher. 1937 – William Hastie is appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the U.S. District Court for the Virgin Islands, making him the first African American federal judge. 1944 – Famed singer and actress Diana Ross (right) is born in Detroit. 1962 – Augusta Savage, a famed Black sculptor from the Harlem Renaissance era, dies of cancer in New York City at age 70.
singer Pearl Bailey is born in Southampton County, Virginia.
MARCH 27
MARCH 30
1924 – Renowned jazz singer Sarah Vaughan is born in Newark, New Jersey. 1934 – Acclaimed dancer and choreographer Arthur Mitchell, founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, is born in New York City.
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1866 – George Alexander McGuire, founder and first Bishop of the African Orthodox Church, is born in Swetes, Antigua. 1939 – The New York Renaissance Big Five, one of the most successful all-Black professional basketball teams in the 1920s and 1930s, becomes the first all-Black pro team to win a world championship.
MARCH 29
1904 – Granville T. Woods patents the first of two improvements on railroad brakes. 1918 – Award-winning actress and
1870 – The 15th Amendment, which granted African American men the right to vote, is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution.
MARCH 31
1797 – Gustavus Vassa, a freed slave whose autobiography, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano,” is regarded as one of history’s most influential literary works, dies in southeast England. 1870 – Thomas Mundy Peterson of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, becomes the first African American to vote in an election, a day after the 15th Amendment is ratified. 1878 – Jack Johnson, the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion, is born in Galveston, Texas. 1891 – George “Little Chocolate” Dixon knocks out Cal McCarthy to win the featherweight title, becoming the first Black world boxing champion in any weight class. 1980 – Track and field star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens dies in Tucson, Arizona, of lung cancer at 66. 1988 – Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” a novel about the remembrances of a former slave in post-Civil War Ohio, wins the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
APRIL 1
JESSE OWENS 6 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
1868 – Hampton University, one of the nation’s 107 historically Black colleges and universities, is founded in Hampton, Virginia. 1917 – Famed African American composer and pianist Scott Joplin, known as “the King of Ragtime,” dies in New York City at 49. 1950 – Prominent Black physician, surgeon and medical researcher Charles Richard Drew dies in Burlington, North Carolina, at 50 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. 1984 – One day before his 45th birthday, iconic soul singer Marvin Gaye (top) is fatally shot by his father during a dispute at the Los Angeles house they shared. WI
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Trump’s Easter Sunday ‘Promise’ Falls Short of Convincing the Faithful
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Easter will soon be upon us on Sunday, April 12 and already we’re seeing how even a holy day and religious observance can be manipulated by America’s political hierarchy. In recently-televised remarks, President Donald Trump has vowed to reopen the U.S. economy by Easter Sunday, even as the number of deaths from the coronavirus continue to escalate and despite recommendations from the scientific and medical communities to maintain self-isolation. Trump maintains that the “cure” for the pandemic could be “worse than the problem itself,” suggesting that if the economy is not allowed to gear back up soon and if current restrictions are not lifted, that we’ll see “thousands of suicides.” Is he serious in considering whether it’s prudent to lift social distancing measures at the end of a 15-day period because of his belief that we’re on the precipice of “winning the fight against the invisible enemy?” Or, is our commander-in-chief, once again, pandering to his base and to others who have more faith in empty
promises and wishful thinking than the evidence and recommendations proposed by the real experts? If, as Trump said during his afternoon press conference Tuesday, the first priority is always the health and safety of the American people, then there’s no question that we will see the continued practice of social distancing with only the most essential businesses and services keeping their doors open. Still, that flies in the face of what the president concludes and predicts will occur – and by Easter, no less. Meanwhile, local leaders in the District, Maryland and Virginia have collectively moved in an opposite direction – closing schools for the remainder of the year, continuing to direct residents to stay home except for the most extreme situations and limiting travel throughout the DMV – even closing thoroughfares and places where folks have chosen to congregate despite urgings from city officials, like the Tidal Basin as the cherry blossoms bloom in annual, spectacular fashion. Those who understand the significance of Good Friday, Easter and the relevance of the Holy Season, are presumably individuals whose faith rests not in the words of short-lived elected officials but in a persona, an eternal Spirit and a power that has been among and with humanity since the beginning of time. We, the faithful, similarly understand that Easter Sunday and all that it encompasses is much more than one day on the calendar. In truth, it is a way of life – a belief that in God’s time the impossible becomes possible. Further, for those who truly adhere to such a faith, we know that America – contrary to the words espoused by Donald Trump – does not exist in
isolation. The truth is that the world and its inhabitants remain linked as one community where human-formed borders and notions of nationalism do not begin to represent the actual fullness of or relationships between the millions of residents on Earth. Will there be “tremendous anxiety and depression,” and will we see a spike in “suicides over things like this when you have terrible economies” as the president predicts? Perhaps we will. But those who yield to depression, anxiety and suicide are among those who have placed their faith in the temporal – that is that which presents itself in the secular, the worldly – situations that are limited by time. As for me and my house, we will continue to hold fast to that faith which surpasses all understanding – a belief that time continues along a path that is only occasionally chronological – “chronos” as the Greek New Testament sometimes suggests. My house also understands that time can take rapid and unexplainable leaps forward – a sudden breakthrough to a new reality – “kairos” to which the Greek New Testament also refers. Still, Trump does allow for the possibility that the coronavirus may reshape American life forever – a notion with which I, too, agree. But I hope and pray that the change will be positive in nature, opening our minds, hearts and souls so we can understand that which has always been the eternal truth. Said simply, and as Maya Angelou prophetically stated in one of my favorite poems, “Human Family,” “we are more alike than unalike.” Yes, “we are more alike than unalike. We are more alike than unalike.” WI
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District Election Roundup By James Wright WI Staff Writer @jamesdcwrighter
cuts to schools in those areas and I will continue to fight for the residents of Wards 7 and 8.”
LAZERE RUNS FOR AT-LARGE COUNCIL SEAT
EVANS PASSES ON SPECIAL ELECTION FOR OLD SEAT
Ed Lazere, who served as executive director of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute for decades, becomes the latest candidate to seek the independent at-large council seat. Lazere told The Informer he stepped down from his position at the institute on March 16 to pursue the council position full-time. The run would be Lazere’s second for the council. In 2018, Lazere challenged Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) in the June 19 Democratic Primary, getting over 36 percent of the vote. Lazere decided not to challenge incumbent D.C. CouncilmanRobert White (D-At Large), opting for the open seat vacated by Councilman David Grosso (I-At Large). Voters can choose candidates for the two at-large seats during Nov. 3 general election. Lazere said that his many years of writing, speaking and advocating on behalf of low income and working class Washingtonians, will help him to become an effective council member. “You know that D.C. Council members are the people ablest to take action on inequality in our city,” Lazere said. “You also know that if we are going to meaningfully tackles those challenges at scale, we need new leadership on the council.” Lazere said being on the council will “continue my life’s work of fighting for racial and economic equality and to bring proven, progressive leadership to our city’s government.” Lazere, who attended Harvard University and received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland, said that if elected to the council, he would make the concerns of residents east of the Anacostia River a priority. “I have fought on behalf of the residents of Wards 7 and 8,” he said. “Last year, I locked arms with activists in those wards to stop Mayor [Muriel] Bowser’s budget
Former D.C. Councilman Jack Evans recently decided to skip the special election for the Ward 2 council seat he vacated earlier this year amid an ethics scandal. Evans, who resigned from the D.C. Council on Jan. 7 after serving on that body since 1991, had initially planned to run in both the June 2 Democratic primary and the June 16 special election to fill
the vancant seat for the rest of the year. But he reversed course last week, announcing that he would only run in the primary. “I have decided it is best not to seek to run for the position which I resigned from in January and instead focus on a new start for the next four years,” he said. “Not running in the special is also a way of showing my sincere regret for the mistakes I made.” Evans left under the threat of expulsion from his council colleagues for various ethical violations. His departure triggered the D.C. Board of Elections to hold the June 16 special election to finish his term. WI
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“Thinking about justice and mercy and grace, Frederick Douglass said, “I prayed for twenty years. Nothing happened until I got off my knees and started marching with my feet.” And that’s the role of the church. We already prayed about it. Now let’s take action on it.”
– Sybrina Fulton,
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D.C. Council OKs Unemployment Benefits Bill Amid Pandemic By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
District residents relegated to their homes during the recent state of emergency have pondered how they would continue to meet their financial obligations while away from their job for the next several weeks. The D.C. Council answered that question last week in the form of emergency legislation expanding eligibility for unemployment benefits and business grants. The bill comes as city health officials fight to quell the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed two people and infected nearly 100 in the District as of Sunday. In addition to providing unemployment benefits for the self-employed and those working at temporarily shuttered public venues, the legislation creates a special form of emergency leave for employees testing positive for the coronavirus. It also qualifies small businesses, nonprofits and self-employed people demonstrating a loss of revenue during a state of emergency for grants that can be used toward repaying Small Business Administration loans, compensating employees or paying business-related bills. Since the bill’s passage, more than 7,600 city workers have applied for unemployment benefits. Though grateful, some council
members said they’re waiting to see whether Congress will provide additional support, which would likely be used to help freelancers and others in the gig economy. “We aren’t getting the support we need from the federal government, but we will keep working to do whatever we can to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus and support those who are feeling the pain right now of those steps,” said Councilman Charles Allen (D-Ward 6). Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he’s working with President Donald Trump (R) and Congress on a $1 trillion relief package that would dole out payments to small businesses, open lines of credit for airlines, hotels and other industries, and create a worker stimulus package. However, legislation has stalled in Congress in recent days as both sides of the aisle accused each other of using the stimulus bill as political leverage, though the Senate reportedly was nearing a deal at press time. This comes as state governments around the country have instituted similar protections for people reeling from income and revenue losses during the public health state of emergency. Since the coronavirus outbreak began, colleges and universities in the area have closed, with Howard University even going as far as to cancel the rest of the semester and com-
5 Home of D.C. City Council and the Mayor. (WI File Photo)
AROUND THE REGION
mencement activities. For more than a week, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has ordered all restaurants and bars to close. The decision, one of numerous since Bowser declared a state of emergency on March 11, followed the cancellation of public sporting, entertainment and cultural events of more than 250 people, D.C. public and public charter school closures, and a significant slowdown in local government activities. Neighboring Maryland and Virginia, along with several other states, have followed suit, with economic activity coming to a standstill. The coronavirus — and the response — has had a ripple effect throughout the District economic infrastructure. The emergency legislation recently passed by the D.C. Council also allows Bowser to shift employee job responsibilities across agencies. It shields health care workers from liability — other than in cases of gross negligence — as they carry out actions to combat the coronavirus. It prohibits price gouging and hoarding of items needed for first responders. District families facing homelessness can also get placed into interim housing, and housing providers can transfer tenants to new homes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) said the comprehensive bill showed the great potential for cooperation among various local entities. “While it is true that we find ourselves in unchartered territory, I have found hope and optimism in seeing all branches of government, businesses, residents and staff come together to find solutions during this time of crisis,” said McDuffie, who chairs the council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development. WI
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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 11
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Maryland General Assembly Ends Early By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill For the first time since the Civil War in the 1860s, the Maryland General Assembly session ended prematurely this year, adjourning nearly three weeks early due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The most important piece of legislation passed last week by both the House and Senate chambers was a nearly $48 billion fiscal 2021 budget that includes $100 million for responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The emergency coronavirus legislation called for health insur-
ance companies and other providers to cover the cost of testing and any other associated needs. In addition, the bill prohibits retailers from price-gouging on any coronavirus-related goods such as food, fuel, water and cleaning products by more than 10 percent. With the decision to end early, lawmakers passed more than 500 bills in three days to complete its last legislative day by March 18. The 90-day session scheduled to end April 6. “It’ll take a while to process this whole experience,” said Del. Robbyn Lewis (D-Baltimore City). “The strangest and most difficult
moment for me was that limbo when we were waiting to hear whether or not we would work through the end, or adjourn early. Will we stay healthy? Will we be able to support our communities in our districts back home? That was really surreal to me.” The novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, forced Gov. Larry Hogan and the presiding officers to restrict access inside state buildings, which meant the public couldn’t hear, view or testify about any pieces of legislation. Lobbyists, advocates and political junkies were banned from the gallery, and high school students working pages did not hand-deliver any documents to lawmakers. The usual ceremonial bill signings to celebrate passage of legislation also aren’t happening. The final three days marked a furious pace for lawmakers to review and approve monumental bills such as $577 million in funding through 2030 for the state’s four historically Black colleges and universities. The amount came from a settlement agreed to in a more than 13-yearold lawsuit. The funding for each university — Bowie State, Coppin State, Morgan State and Maryland Eastern Shore — would provide
5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (center) signs emergency legislation to combat the coronavirus in Annapolis on March 19. Alongside Hogan are Senate President Bill Ferguson (left) and House Speaker Adrienne Jones. (Courtesy of the governor’s office)
scholarships and financial aid, help recruit faculty and implement new academic programs. House Speaker Adrienne Jones, the first woman and first Black chosen who served her first session as a presiding officer, led the effort to get legislation approved. “This is something that puts the HBCUs at the same level as our traditionally white institutions,” said Del. Darry Barnes (D-District 25) of Upper Marlboro, who chairs the Legislative
Black Caucus of Maryland. “This is much-needed income for programming and so many other things.” The other bill approved slated to help Black and Latino students is the comprehensive education plan called the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The majority of the policies are based on recommendations from the Commission on Innovation and Excel-
ASSEMBLY Page 40
Developer Contributions Resurrected in Prince George’s County By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
5 Del. Dereck E. Davis (Courtesy of Maryland General Assembly)
A 2012 state provision implemented in Prince George’s County to curb developer contributions will be erased in October. That’s because the Maryland General Assembly approved legislation to end a ban on businesses contributing to a county executive campaign or a slate that includes the executive while a project is reviewed by District Council and other boards. The bill was approved on March 17, the penultimate day of the final legislative session that was truncated due to the coronavirus outbreak. The legislature briskly reviewed and approved about 500 bills in the final three days. Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-District 22) of University Park, a longtime senator and staunch supporter of the campaign ban, wasn’t in attendance due
12 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
to the death of his wife. Pinsky, who chairs the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, blocked the bill last year when it came before the committee. Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-District 25) of Mitchellville, who introduced the bill, said it helps perspective county candidates compete for statewide offices. Davis has highlighted how the campaign prohibition negatively affected former County Executive Rushern L. Baker chances in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial race. “In Prince George’s County, the last time we’ve had an elected statewide leader was [former County Executive and Maryland Gov.] Parris Glendening and that’s despite the fact that we’re number one in Democratic votes and number two in population,” Davis said. “If you’re tired of riding shotgun and if you want to step up and lead, then you have to have the resources to make the case.” Davis sponsored legislation to
prohibit campaign contributions for county executive, Baltimore mayor and other members of governing bodies in all 23 counties and Baltimore City. However, the bill was shot down in both the Ways and Means and Environment and Transportation committees. Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24) of Glenarden preferred this option. “If you do it for one, do it for all. It’s just fair,” said Lewis, who voted against the campaign contribution bill in both the county delegation session and on the House floor. “I think the optics are off.” Baker led the effort to campaign reform to change the county’s image after his successor Jack Johnson served more than five years in federal prison for bribery and other convictions. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said the law not only hampered the jurisdiction, but left marks of “injustice” against the majority-Black jurisdiction.
However, the majority-white Frederick County based its ethics bill on those in Prince George’s and Howard counties. Additionally, Frederick County’s law prohibits attorneys, engineers and other representatives from a particular firm from contributing to campaigns when current projects are under review.
OTHER STATE LEGISLATION
Meanwhile, Lewis and other county lawmakers said the session presented benefits for Prince George’s. For instance, the annual $3.8 billion Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan includes an estimated $2.9 billion from the state and $864 million from the 23 counties and Baltimore City through fiscal year 2030. Figures project the county to receive the most in state aid at $724 million and contribute nearly $184 million.
DEVELOPER Page 28
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Maryland Officials Celebrate ACA, Push Health Care Initiatives By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill When former President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into legislation 10 years ago on March 23, it was one of the most monumental moments in U.S. history in terms of health care. The uninsured rate for those between ages 18 and 64 stood at 22 percent when first passed. In 2016, the figure dropped to 12 percent. “It protected preexisting conditions, cut the uninsured rate in half, and lots more,” Obama tweeted Monday, March 23. “But it’s still under political attack right when we need care the most. We have to protect it, build on it, until we cover everyone.” Today, the law also called Obamacare continues to be attacked by Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration to repeal the act. A lawsuit backed by the administration to challenge the act’s consti-
tutionality remains scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court later this year. But that still didn’t deter some Maryland federal and state officials and health care advocates to celebrate the act’s 10-year passage Monday. The Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative of Baltimore hosted a conference call to continue fighting for the Affordable Care Act which has allowed more than 400,000 Marylanders to gain health insurance. “We’re in a battle in Washington to preserve a system with an administration that’s extremely hostel to it,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), who joined nine others in the conference call. “We’re going to continue to fight to preserve the Affordable Care Act, to expand it [and] to build on it.” Amidst the coronavirus, the act becomes a timely topic in terms of what some Americans seek in universal health care. One of the provisions in the act sought for states to expand the pro-
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY gram to add Medicaid. However, 37 states adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion, which helps low-income and senior residents. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), who put the legislation on the House floor 10 years ago, said Maryland serves as a model in leading in health care reform. I want to also thank … all the members of the General Assembly who have been so forward leaning in protecting that which was gained by the passage of the Affordable Care Act and making sure that our citizens are not hurt by efforts at federal level to undermine the Affordable Care Act,” he said. Maryland became the first state in the nation last year when lawmakers approved an Easy Enrollment Program estimated to help at least 100,000 uninsured residents receive coverage by simply checking a box on their state tax income returns. The Maryland Health Connection, the state’s health insurance marketplace, began a special enrollment period last week due to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. People still without health insurance have until April 16 to sign up at marylandhealthconnection.gov/how-to-enroll. Days before the majority Demo-
Today, the law also called Obamacare continues to be attacked by Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration to repeal the act. A lawsuit backed by the administration to challenge the act’s constitutionality remains scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court later this year. cratic legislature adjourned early last week, the House voted along party lines (96-38) to provide additional funding for the newly created Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Senate unanimously approved the measure. The five-member board comprised of college professors, an ophthalmologist and the state’s former health secretary has the authority to asses and recommend on how to make drugs more affordable for Maryland residents. The board, which held its first meeting Jan. 13, serves as the nation’s first-ever body created to analyze a cap on drug prices to make them inexpensive. According to the fiscal note, the board will receive $2 million an-
nually through 2025. An additional $250,000 will be provided through 2021 to 2023 as “special fund expenditures” to repay the Maryland Health Care Commission. The board received $750,000 this year to begin its work. “I’m really happy it passed because we need the funding so [prescription drug board members] can do their work,” Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-District 21) of College Park, the lead sponsor to create the board last year, said after the final legislative session on March 18 in Annapolis. “Look at what we’re going through. A lot of people can’t afford their prescription drugs. People need health care, especially now.” WI
Hogan Shuts Down Nonessential Businesses as Coronavirus Spreads By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus continue to rise in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan
issued an executive order for all nonessential businesses to close such as retail and department stores. Business that can remain open include those defined by the federal government that include
5 Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (at lectern) speaks during a press conference at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo, Md., on March 23. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers, dry cleaners, defense companies, grocery and convenient stores, hospitals and public safety agencies. Some restaurants and big-box stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot that sells home improvement supplies can remain open. A full list of the type of business that can remain open can be found at maryland.gov. Although Hogan said at a press conference Monday, March 23 this didn’t constitute a shelter-inplace order during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, but he reiterated for people who don’t have to leave their home to stay put. Hogan specifically mentioned people at the beach in Ocean City and at local parks throughout the state. The state prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people through an executive order issued Thursday, March 19. “For weeks we have taken some
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swift, decisive unprecedented actions in our state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 to save lives,” he said. “Let me repeat once again as strongly as I possibly can: if you are engaged in this kind of activity you are breaking the law and you are literally endangering the lives of your family, your friends and your fellow citizens.” As of Monday, the state Health Department reported 21 out of 24 counties and Baltimore City had confirmed cases. After Hogan detailed which businesses can remain open, he announced several initiatives to help small businesses and workers. The state Department of Commerce will provide up to $125 million in loans and grants to small business owners and nonprofit organizations through a COVID-19 emergency relief fund. Those organizations with 50 or fewer full- and part-time employees are eligible to apply for loans up to $50,000 and grants up
to $10,000. The state Department of Labor will provide $7 million to avoid laying off workers so they can adhere to the social distancing policies of being away from people at least six feet apart. Prince George’s County decided to incorporate the social distance function where services are reduced to essential functions only, which include police and fire departments, public works and transportation. All trash and recyclables collection will continue, but bulky trash pickup for items such as carpets, doors and other large furniture will be suspended until further notice. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks also addressed how the pandemic has affected those experiencing domestic violence, saying that domestic violence petitions will still be issued if necessary. “We are so aware that domestic
HOGAN Page 34
MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 13
BUSINESS Global Pandemic or Opportunity to Build Wealth? By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins The coronavirus pandemic has significantly slowed down economic activity, so much so that experts in the financial sector predict it will take several years for the markets to recover from what some say has been the makings of another recession. Even so, some consultants, like Lisa Johnson contend that the upcoming weeks and months will prove the most opportune for novice investors purchasing stock in companies and industries that have recently incurred strong consumer demand and will continue to do so. “If you haven’t invested up until now because of money issues, go ahead and jump in. You can
do e-trade or call a stock broker, but make sure it’s something you want to handle,” said Johnson, a licensed Primerica, Inc. representative of nearly eight years. Since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic, Johnson, a native Washingtonian, has been resolute about keeping her eye on companies involved in infrastructure and those receiving federal government grants, arguing that, no matter the shape of the markets, those companies will always play a crucial role in the economy. She said that people who could soon lose their jobs -- some of which they’ve depended on for their retirement savings and life insurance policy -- should pay attention to, and purchase the stocks of, streaming services, food delivery, and other luxuries that those sequestered in their homes have
5 New York Stock Exhange (Courtesy photo)
prioritized in recent weeks. “That’s how the wealthy get wealthier: they jump in,” Johnson told The Informer. “You maintain your wealth by keeping your money in the market. Since prices are low, you’re able to buy more shares. You’ll make more money on the back end.” Last Friday, Wall Street wrapped up its worst week in more than a decade when the Dow Jones Industrial Average -- a stock market index that measures the performance of 30 large companies -- dropped more than 900 points and the price of oil fell well below $20. On Monday, the Dow fell an additional 600 points, creating
Massive Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Poised for Finalization A bipartisan bill aimed at boosting the economy and putting money in the pockets of families and individuals still needs finalization before being signed into effect by President Trump. The massive $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill which is expected to provide direct payments of up to $3,000 to millions of U.S. families, was agreed upon in the early hours of Wednesday, allowing lawmakers to finally pack up and head home after five days of grueling talks. “At last we have a deal,” Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said around 1:37 a.m. ET from the floor of the Senate. “In effect, this is a war-time level of investment into our nation.” The legislation will also include $350 billion for small-business loans and $250 billion for expanded unemployment assistance. WI
14 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
further losses for investors and fulltime employees with retirement accounts. Those left unscathed include senators who, after dumping millions of dollars in stocks before the coronavirus market crash, have been accused of insider trading. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has proposed a payroll tax cut, the expansion of sick leave, and tax deferments on the airline, cruise, and hospitality industries as a means of stabilizing the economy. Early Wednesday morning, Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed on all but a few final items on a $2.0 trillion coronavirus relief package intended to buoy large businesses and expand unemployment benefits, among other goals. In addition to lowering interest rates to nearly zero percent, the Federal Reserve has purchased an unlimited number of bonds -- including $200 million in mortgage-backed securities -- as part of a program that’s gone on for more than a week. Although its assortment of economic stimulus measures had shown some promise of restoring the markets, some industry insiders -- Paul Hickey of the Bespoke Investment Group, for example -- have been on record saying the economy would have to come back to life before the markets experience long-term gains. The coronavirus, which has caused elected officials across U.S. cities and states to cease large public gatherings and other forms of economic activity, threatens 37 million domestic jobs nationwide, including those created by small
business owners and the hospitality industry and in the education field. In the District, the D.C. Council recently passed emergency legislation that rolled out employment and housing protections for residents affected by the public health state of emergency. At least 7,600 unemployment claims have since been submitted to the Department of Employment Services. Earlier this week, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced microgrants for small businesses that have lost a quarter of their revenue in the weeks since the coronavirus struck the District. Uncertainty about how the economic fallout from the pandemic would affect the housing market has compelled sellers to close properties more quickly. Since the Federal Reserve purchased several million in mortgage-backed securities, many have attempted to do so with lowering interest rates. Some realtors, like Charles View, said the current environment places potential homebuyers, particularly those with a high credit rating, in a position to better negotiate the terms of an investment that would pay dividends within a decade. “The local markets are more competitive, and sellers and buyers are going harder,” said View. “Buyers who have their ducks in a row are in a much better position and sellers want to lock that in sooner than later. They might have to lower their price by five percent but they can get their cash quicker.” WI
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Barbershops, Beauty Salons Shutter Their Doors Per Mayor’s Directive By James Wright WI Staff Writer @jamesdcwrighter The all too familiar sounds of clippers and blow dryers, and music playing under the laughter and cajoling of patrons of D.C. barbershops and beauty salons will come to a screeching halt on Thursday, March 25 at 10 PM. They’ll stay that way until April 24 due to an order issued by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as a means to mitigate the coronavirus in the District. The order did not come as a surprise to Wanda Henderson, owner of Wanda’s on 7th Street Northwest, near Florida Avenue. Her shop has remained open, even while District residents were being encouraged to stay inside. “We have seen a change, a huge shift in customers coming in,” Henderson said. “I would say we are dealing with a 60 percent decline since the coronavirus arrived.” As of press time, states such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Minnesota ordered the shuttering of barbershops and beauty salons due to the virus. In the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s recent order requires temporary closure of the on-site operation of all non-essential businesses and prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people. The temporary order a broad of businesses to cease operations in-
cluding tour guides and touring services; gyms, health clubs, spas, and massage establishments; theaters, auditoriums, and other places of large gatherings; nightclubs; hair, nail, and tanning salons and barbershops; tattoo parlors; sales not involved in essential services; retail clothing stores; and professional services not devoted to assisting essential business operations. “My staff and I have discussed a possible lockdown,” Henderson said before learning of the Mayor’s order. “Our plan now is to stay open as long as we can under the law. We understand that we may have to close at any time, and we are ready to endure possibly two weeks of closure if we have to.” Henderson said she and her staff have long stressed cleanliness at Wanda’s. She makes sure her barbers and beauticians wash their hands after servicing each customer, hand sanitizers are at every station, and disposable wipes are available at the front of the business. “We serve people from ages 1-100, and we make it a priority that our space is clean,” Henderson said. Since the coronavirus outbreak in the District, cleanliness has also become a priority for Ralph Thomas, the head barber at D’s
BUSINESS We’re here to help. This is a complicated and unique moment in time for all of us. When the coronavirus situation began to unfold, Sandy Spring Bank quickly implemented our business continuity plans to ensure the health and safety of our employees, clients, and business and community partners. And that remains our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to heed to the guidance from our state and federal health officials. As a company, we have made and will continue to make the necessary adjustments to our operations, while serving your banking needs in the most prudent way. To that end, you can: Call us with any questions or concerns at 800.399.5919. We ask for your patience in advance if you experience longer than usual wait times. Set up a special appointment with one of our bankers to discuss any financial need you may have. Take advantage of our online and mobile banking so you can bank with us remotely. Visit our website for more information. You can also open a new account online. Visit sandyspringbank.com/update, our special website section, for all of this information and for other important coronavirus-related announcements. Sandy Spring Bank has been part of this community for more than 150 years, and we have helped our clients through challenging times before. We are committed to using our experience to serve you in the best way we can and to continue to earn and keep your trust. Let’s please remember that everyone in our community is grappling with this in some way. Each personal situation is unique, so the virus—or even the potential of it—will affect everyone differently. Every day we have a choice to show empathy and an opportunity to be an encouragement to someone else—seize that moment whenever we can and be a bright spot to someone who needs it. We are grateful for all of our employees, clients, and partners during this unprecedented time, and we thank you for your ongoing trust in Sandy Spring Bank. We end this message with a call for grace. Together, we will get through this. With Gratitude,
BARBERSHOPS Page 29 Daniel J. Schrider President & CEO Sandy Spring Bank
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5 Marcus`s Signature Cuts and Shaves Barber Shop in Northwest serves the D.C. community. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
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NATIONAL Democrats Must Unite if They’re to Defeat Trump, Pundits Say By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia With Joe Biden mostly laying claim as its presumptive nominee, Democrats are seeking to unite ahead of its national convention with one focus in mind: Beat Donald Trump. Avoiding a catastrophic fracturing of the party as the primary enters its most contentious phase is critical for Democrats, Andrew Gawthorpe, a
lecturer in history and international studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands wrote in an op-ed for The Guardian. “Measured, thoughtful actions from [Vermont Senator] Bernie Sanders and his supporters in their time of disappointment will speak volumes about their character, enhance their chances of ultimately winning the primary, and keep the party competitive against Trump regardless of what happens,” Gawthorpe noted.
5 President Barack Obama presents Vice President Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Jan. 12, 2017. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
“Scorching the earth will do the opposite. The party and the country are watching nervously to see what they do next. Following primary victories in Florida, Illinois and Arizona, Biden now has 315 more delegates than Sanders, 1,132 to 817, according to an NBC News count. The former vice president has passed the halfway mark and is well
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on his way to the 1,991 delegates he needs to win a majority of all delegates and capture the Democratic presidential nomination. A Sanders spokesperson said the Vermont Senator would “reassess” his campaign over the next couple of weeks. With Georgia, Puerto Rico and Louisiana all canceling or postponing their primaries, the next contest isn’t until April 4, when Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming all are scheduled to vote. “Democrats are likely to be united in the fall, and President Donald Trump’s standing is stuck where it has been for many months,” opined Roll Call political analyst Stuart Rothenberg. “There are also more questions about presidential leadership and the economy, which the president has been relying on to help him win a second term. “The president is an underdog now in his bid for a second term,” Rothenberg wrote. “That doesn’t mean he can’t win. It simply means that he is in a more difficult place than he was before, in part because Democrats have
united behind a consensus candidate who has potentially broad appeal.” The current health emergency has showcased Trump’s defects as a leader, wrote the editorial board at the Financial Times, adding that Trump’s “egotism and his inability to face facts have been on full display.” “Confronted with a global crisis on this scale, the world would normally look to the White House for a lead. Trump has singularly failed to rise to the challenge,” the board said. Political pundits and the candidates themselves also understand that the Black vote remains crucial. “You cannot win without it,” Biden said in an earlier interview.\ He also noted how critical it is for Democrats to unite. “How and when Sanders concedes defeat to Biden will be critical,” the Financial Times editors wrote. “For the Democrats to beat Trump in November, Sanders needs to endorse his middle-ground adversary in magnanimous fashion. His ‘Bernie Bros’ must also be urged to support the Democratic nominee, rather than abstain.” WI
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5 Mary McLeod Bethune memorial in D.C. (Robert Berks via the Library of Congress)
Bipartisan Resolution Introduced for Mary McLeod Bethune Statue in Statuary Hall By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia In a bipartisan effort, Reps. Val Demings (D-Fla.) and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) have introduced a resolution authorizing a welcome ceremony for a new Mary McLeod Bethune statue at the U.S. Capitol. “When Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was a child, she picked up a book. The other children, seeing that she was Black, told her ‘put that down, you can’t read,’” said Demings, who serves Florida’s 10th District. “That moment started a lifelong commitment to education and civil rights and launched an unparalleled legacy that lives on today. “In her last will and testament, she wrote that she leaves us with hope, love, faith and responsibility to our young people and thirst for education,” she said. “Education: the key to success in America. Therefore, it is more than fitting that she should be here in the ‘People’s House.’” Waltz, who serves the Sunshine State’s 6th Congressional District, noted that Bethune’s inspiration reaches much further than “our Daytona Beach community and Florida.” “Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune knew education is the key to equality and a better life for all,” he added. “Dr. Bethune was a leader who worked hard every day to provide opportunities to those in our community and our country who didn’t have a voice. Her example and legacy should make all Floridians proud.”
Born the 15th of 17 children of former slaves, Bethune is recognized for paving the way for civil rights and higher education for African Americans in the United States. She founded a literacy school for African-American girls in Daytona Beach, which later merged with the all-male Cookman Institute to form Bethune-Cookman College. The Bethune statue, which is set for unveiling next year, would be the first of an African American to represent a U.S. state in Statuary Hall. The statute will depict Bethune holding a rose in one hand while her other side contains the cane given to her by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Highlighting her passion for educating African Americans, Bethune dons a graduation cap and gown. If Demings’ and Waltz’s resolution succeeds, it will authorize the use of the Capitol Rotunda to display the statue for six months. “Mary McLeod Bethune was the most powerful woman I can remember as a child. She has been an inspiration to me throughout my whole life,” Demings noted in a statement. “I am proud that she will be Florida’s new face in the U.S. Capitol and know that her life will continue to inspir “Florida’s Sixth District is honored to have one of its most notable figures celebrated in the U.S. Capitol — and I’m looking forward to thousands of visitors in Washington learning more about Dr. Bethune and her leadership,” she said. WI
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West Africa Mining Industry Gets Major Boost The mining industry in Ghana and the entire West African Sub will soon receive a major boost following the establishment of a world-class Geochemical Laboratory at Tarkwa in the Western region of Ghana by SGS Ghana Limited. The facility will complement the existing facilities available in the country by ensuring that clients receive full scale geochemical analytical services at the highest quality and promptness that is required, News Ghana reported. The Client Liaison Manager of SGS Ghana at Tarkwa, Wilfred Appiah (left), who made the announcement at the just ended maiden edition of the Ghana Gold Expo held in Takoradi, said the facility is one of SGS Ghana’s top-notch laboratories in the sub region. With a network of what some have described as super labs, clients in the mining industry can enjoy various standardized and validated methods and techniques using state of the art equipment that spurs growth and reaches desired targets. Players in the mining industry can also get enhanced services offered by sister labs for MMI (Mobile Metal Ion) analysis, multi-element analyses by ICP-AES, ICP-MS and XRF. SGS also invested in FAST technology (Field Analytical Services & Testing) using the pXRF, FTIR and ED-XRF scanning instruments for mineralogical sample analyses. Carbon and Sulphur analyses are offered from SGS Maslab in Tema which is also fed from the new SGS environmental feeder, lab recently opened in Cyanide area in Tarkwa. Appiah noted that SGS Ghana is part of the global entity SGS, which is recognized as a global benchmark for quality and integrity and the world’s leading inspections, verification, testing and certification company with offices worldwide including Accra, Tema, Tarkwa, Takoradi, Damang, Ahafo, Akyem and Obuasi. Established in 1878 in Europe, SGS opened its Ghana operations in 1960 in Ghana and provide services in the following sectors: oil, gas and chemicals, agriculture, food and life, certification and business enhancement, environment, health and safety, government and institutions, industrial and minerals. The company has a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories and more than 94,000 employees around the world. Steven Blessing Ackah, the convenor of the Ghana Gold Expo, expressed excitement about the new facility, saying that it is a good effort at ensuring responsible mining, as indicated by the expo’s theme, “Promoting Responsible Gold Mining and Zero Mercury.” “Contributions to the facilities in Ghana, such as the Geochemical Laboratory in Tarkwa by SGS, continue to place Ghana favorably for responsible gold mining in the region,” Ackah said. He observed that the enthusiasm and overwhelming representation by stakeholders in the mining industry was testament to the “strength of gold in the current market and the high level of interest in doing business in Ghana.” WI
caribbean now Sandals, Beaches Resorts Closing Temporarily
Sandals and Beaches Resorts Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart (left) announced Saturday that all of the chain’s properties will close from March 30 to May 15, in a move to safeguard the safety and health of guests and team members amid the global spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Stewart said making such a call was “difficult” but necessary. “Never could we have imagined the impact the current global health crisis would have on the world,” Stewart said in a press release. “In these unprecedented times, and now more than ever, the safety and health of our valued guests and team members is of paramount importance. Recent global travel warnings, coupled with airline carrier cancellations, have compelled us to make the difficult decision to close all Sandals and Beaches Resorts from the period of March 30 to May 15, 2020. Therefore, we will not be able to accept new arrivals as of March 23, 2020. “We also want to alleviate any additional worry you might have about your upcoming vacation,” he said. “Our dedicated team will be reaching out to you personally to assist with rescheduling your future plans. This way, you can spend less time trying to reach us and more time with your loved ones.” Stewart’s all-inclusive luxury resort chain operates 19 properties across seven Caribbean islands. WI
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HEALTH Can’t go to the gym?
Here are some Alternative Workout Options to Stay in Shape During Quarantine WI Staff Report With gyms, group classes, spin studios and other various fitness outlets shut down at the moment, many of us are left looking for ways to stay in shape during the pandemic. I’m no fitness instructor but, due to a lack of sports news, I have nothing better to do than pretend to know what I’m talking about when it comes to almost anything. So, with that in mind, let’s figure out a way to keep you in shape during these weird times.
DISTANCING from Page 5
DO BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES If inmates can get ripped in a tiny prison cell, you can get ripped during the quarantine. Bodyweight exercises aren’t great for getting huge or stacking them #gains, but they’re a good way to stay toned (or shredded, depending on your commitment level) with limited resources. Here’s a number of classic body-weight exercises you can do pretty much wherever, whenever: conferencing platforms and by other means. In the charter sector, students relegated to their homes have logged on to Google Classroom and ClassDojo while reading assignments annotated by their teachers. Meanwhile, public and public charter school teachers have implemented various communication strategies to maintain contact with families, particularly those in homes without technology. School counselors and social workers have done the same for students in need of accommodations, while officials in the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) worked around the clock to highlight technological gaps preventing some households from participating in distance learning. During a press conference on Tuesday, DCPS Chancel3 Parents are finding alternative ways to educate children at home using on-line methods. (Brigette Squire/ The Washington Informer)
Crunches Push-ups (all variations: wide-set, diamond, staggered, etc.) Planks Squats Lunges Wall sits Burpees There are also a number of accessories you can add to the mix, like kettlebells or medicine balls. Or a door frame pull-up bar. Just make sure you fasten that thing in securely... hospitals are busy enough these days. Go for a run, or walk, or hike Usually when I tell people to “take a hike” it’s meant with a lot less sincerely, but now is as good a time as any to give it a real shot. There’s a good chance you’ll be looking for any excuse to get some fresh air and going for a walk, run or hike could help you kill two birds with one stone. (Not literally. Please don’t throw rocks at birds on your hike.) Doing so allows you to be active outside without necessarily coming into close contact with other people, so it’s a safe way to get your cardio in during this pandemic. WI
5 Even with gyms closed you can stay in shape. (Courtesy photo)
lor Lewis Ferebee said nearly 30 percent of public school students needed laptops and told reporters that high schoolers would have priority over the more than 16,000 extra DCPS – issued devices on hand. He alluded to the possibility of some high school students tutoring their younger peers in exchange for community service hours. City officials later revealed plans to eventually broadcast educational content for elementary students on D.C. public access television. However, the distance learning-related announcement that had perhaps garnered the most attention this week involved the Digital Equity Fund, a collaboration in the amount of $1.1 million between Education Forward DC, the DC Public Education Fund, the Greater Washington Community Foundation and other private entities that Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn said would manifest in the expansion of Internet access and the purchase of devices for students. “The fund will be used to ensure their basic needs are being met so they can learn, to provide them with Internet and device access to overcome the digital divide, and to provide a
successful transition to when school buildings are open,” Kihn told reporters on Tuesday morning. “Distance learning is not a vacation. We expect learning to continue and are asking communities to do your best to support students as we navigate this new normal,” he added. As of Monday night, the D.C. Department of Health has recorded more than 130 positive cases of the coronavirus, the youngest of which is a one-year-old female. Two people have also recently died, a situation that compelled Bowser to extend the school shutdown, originally scheduled to end on March 31 to April 27. Since declaring a public health state of emergency, Bowser has worked closely with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) in coordinating a region-wide response and encouraging social distancing. Earlier this week, Bowser and Hogan called for the shutdown of businesses and venues deemed nonessential – including parks, libraries, gyms, spas and senior centers. Northam counted among one the first state executives to close schools for
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the rest of the academic year. While it has yet to be determined whether Bowser will follow suit, some District teachers, like Laura Fuchs of H.D. Woodson High School in Northeast, said that she and her colleagues across the city will have to think about how to tailor instruction and properly evaluate the academic progress of students who might not be able to sit on the computer or work on assignments for several hours at a time. In regards to students’ need for technology, Fuchs, a WTU executive member who has espoused the public funding of basic amenities, said that teachers had long rallied around that cause long before the coronavirus pandemic, to no avail. “We understand it’s not easy but we have families who don’t have access to computers, and sometimes that’s necessary,” she told The Informer. “With [the coronavirus], it’s become more obvious that children need to take laptops home. DCPS should’ve been paying for laptops and maintenance. The equity fund is privatization. We pay taxes and D.C. is not a broke city.” WI
MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 19
HEALTH
Coronavirus School Closings Present Other Learning Opportunities for Kids
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While schools across the country have been put on pause to promote social distancing as a means of keeping the coronavirus pandemic from spreading, bewildered parents and guardians are pondering how to keep their children well-studied, relaxed and entertained. As of this week, 45 states had shuttered school doors, meaning that at least 50 million students are stuck at home, devoid of the stimulation of their classrooms and dealing with the long-term loneliness and isolation from their peers. The closings have also left many parents having to home-school their children while trying to juggle job responsibilities. “Take a deep breath and know that your children are going to be OK,” Charlotte, N.C.-based Bekah Hamrick, founder of a home school hybrid program, told CNN Sunday. “[The coronavirus] is a very unseen situation that we could not have predicted. Spend some time making a plan that works best for your family to decide a schedule and what things they’d like to accomplish each day. There are a lot of resources out there right now, so definitely take advantage of that through videos and things like that to help supplement learning at home. “At school children are not sitting and doing work for the entire day and that should not be the case at home either,” Hamrick said. “So maybe you teach for 30 minutes depending on the age of your children, and you need to work in a lot of breaks. You also need to work in a lot of fun things.” Hamrick added that at this time, children are also going through a lot of loss being socially isolated from their friends and activities they were looking forward to the rest of the school year. “Allowing them to be sad and sitting with them in their sadness and telling them its Ok, we’re going to get through this together and letting them process it that way, I think is one of the most important things we can do,” she said. Meanwhile on the home front,
5 Although schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers, parents and students are left to find ways to prove that learning doesn’t stop. (PGCPS photo)
YouTube cooking sensation and Southeast D.C. resident Tanya Waller said in a March 21 post that her youngest son, a ninth grader at a public charter school, should think twice if he believes he’s going to sit around playing video games until school resumes in late April. “I’ve been trying to call his school to see about his care package so I can go pick it up Monday, because during all this time out of school, he’s got to be doing something [constructive],” Waller said. “If I can’t pick up a care package, then I’m about to become a home school mama,” she said with a laugh. “He’s not going to stay up all night watching TV. He’s going to pick up some kind of book. I’m going to throw down some math problems. I’m going to make him watch the History Channel, and guess what? We’re going to pull up the dictionary and he’s going to learn a new word every day. He’s going to give me the definition of the word, he’s going to learn how to spell the word, and he’ll be able to put that word in a sentence.” Districts such as Prince George’s County are offering enrichment activity packets online for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students. The packets can be accessed at
pgcps.org/coronavirus and are also available for students with disabilities attending regional programs. “While we encourage parents to have students complete the packet for additional practice in their grade-level content areas, we are not requiring teachers to provide feedback on the completion of these activities or to provide extra credit for work done,” Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Monica Goldson said in a recent statement to parents. “You can pick up printed copies of the packets at the student meal sites in limited quantities starting [the week of March 23] if needed.” PGCPS also offers digital library services to students on a 24/7 online basis with PGCMLS Digital Suite, Creative Suite, and more than 85 online resources including e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, TV and educational resources. PGCPS students can access PGCMLS resources using their nine-digit student ID number. In addition, PGCPS students are encouraged to participate in the daily “Attend a Virtual Read-Aloud” program, in which many children’s book authors are participants while schools are closed. Publisher HarperCollins is also hosting story times and readaloud activities and entertainment weekdays at noon. WI
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EDUCATION CBC UPDATE from Page 1 pandemic and economic crisis are impacting the Black community in the District and across the U.S.” she said. She further acknowledged what remains prominent among the challenges facing Blacks and others including the elderly, the homeless, the incarcerated and the infirm who routinely find their issues placed on the backburner in America – their health. “Naturally, our folks want to know, quite simply, how they can keep themselves safe from the coronavirus,” she said. “But members of the CBC remain committed to making sure that as the third stimulus package becomes finetuned and approved, that the bailout helps those who clean our airports or provide services as hourly employees first before any financial assistance goes to the airlines.” “If Congress doesn’t protect the most vulnerable members of our society, then we’re prepared to vote against any proposed legislation,” Bass added.
CORONAVIRUS: FAR MORE CONTAGIOUS, DEADLY THAN THE FLU
Two associate professors at the University of Virginia School of Medicine [UVASM], both Black, joined the teleconference to answer questions and clarify misconceptions about the coronavirus. “COVID-19 is a member of the coronavirus family with each strain as far reaching as the common cold,” said Dr. Ebony J. Hilton, UVASM, Anesthesiology Dept. “But it’s this newest strain spread mostly through air droplets, which no one has been able to secure an immunity, which is highly-more contagious than the flu and which since its emergence has proven to be far deadlier than any we’ve ever experienced. “The infection rate for COVID-19 is 2.5 times higher than that of the flu which causes about 56,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. In comparison, the Centers for Disease Control estimate the death rate from coronavirus could be from 200,000 to as high as 1.7 mil-
lion Americans by year’s end. We hope we can steer people to realize just how deadly this virus is,” Dr. Hilton said. Hilton said beliefs about coronavirus being more dangerous for the elderly remain misleading if not inaccurate. “While those 80 or over represent 20 percent of the nation’s population more likely to die from coronavirus complications, 40 percent of the hospitalized in the U.S. are under 50 years old – 20 percent of those requiring hospitalization between the ages of 20 and 44 years old,” she said. Should Americans follow recommendations related to the practicing of social distancing? Dr. Hilton says, “definitely,” especially if you live in highly-populated areas. “In the U.S., we face both a health and a financial crisis, especially in urban areas which are highly-populated by Black and brown residents – 22 million, or 80 percent of the American population, represent urban dwellers – that equates to between 160 and 200 million Americans becoming infected,” Dr. Hilton emphasized. “Without adhering to social distancing and being diligent in checking for symptoms and getting tested – all ways to better contain the virus – we may see as many as 1.7 million Americans not living to see 2021.” Dr. Taison Bell, UVASM, Infectious Disease and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, answered questions about how the coronavirus is impacting Blacks. So far, he said, data released from the CDC has been highly objective and not indicated if Blacks, who already represent the top tier from among eight-of-thirteen leading causes of death in the U.S., despite representing less than 14 percent of the total U.S. population, represent greater numbers of those infected by or succumbing to the coronavirus. “We cannot say whether Blacks are being tested at rates equivalent to whites,” Dr. Bell said. “In most areas, what we’re seeing is three criteria that tend to raise one’s chances of being tested, particularly given the inadequate number of test kits currently available: wealth, white and womb-less [a woman without children]. We’re still hoping that both
5 Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), CBC chair
the CDC and the W.H.O. will make the testing rates and related information more transparent,” he said. In his comments about testing, Dr. Bell further noted frustrations for health care providers and hospital systems being further stymied due to the delay of America in recognizing the severity of the coronavirus. “At this point, we’re in different stages of the virus – we’re well beyond the ability to contain it and have now entered mitigation – that’s advising maintaining a distance of six feet or more to help flatten the curve and slow the capacity. Still, it’s spreading rapidly in urban centers (New York City has now become the epicenter of COVID-19 in the U.S.),” he said. “Also, we’re still in high flu season which puts additional strain on our hospitals which are already at an inadequate capacity for beds,” Dr. Bell said. “Now we’re focusing on access to resources, access to care and the unique characteristics of the virus which collectively make this such a highly-contagious and fast-spreading virus.” In part two of this series, we will look at the issues raised by the Black business community and leaders including words from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) and how the pending stimulus package (which was still being vetted as this edition went to press) will benefit African Americans, manly of whom work in the service industries or are part-time employees. Comments and questions will further address food and water deserts in the nation as well as concerns about housing shortages and the challenge Black families continue to face in paying utility bills or securing the Internet. WI
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EDUCATION Reading Books: A Great Way to Pass the Time By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Hunker down. That’s what you’ll be doing for the immediate future: trying to stay well or get well or just waiting. You’ve had enough TV and the pantry’s as clean as it’ll ever get, so maybe it’s time to find something to read. Why not try one of these great books?
FICTION
If you’re a fan of unusual thrillers, look for “Please See Us” by Caitlin Mullen. It’s the story of two dead women who have not yet been found in their marshy grave. But they know what’s going on, and they know they won’t be alone for long. Oh, and they know who killed them. Also, thriller fans, get “Journey of the Pharaohs” by the late
Clive Cussler and Graham Brown. If you’ve ever read a Cussler book, you know what you’re in for! “The Love Story of Missy Charmichael” by Beth Morrey is a sweetheart of a book. It’s about a 79-yearold woman who’s largely alone; her children are scattered or estranged and she’s old enough to believe that reflection on her past is all she has left. And then she meets a dog … The fan of historical fiction will love having “Westering Women” by Sandra Dallas on the sofa. It’s the story of a young seamstress and her small daughter, both of whom travel with a caravan of other women to answer the call for “eligible women” out west in the 1800s. Adventure, love, action, can you resist?
NONFICTION
TOO MUCH MONEY IS LOST TO HEALTH CARE FRAUD. Treat your health care dollars like real money! Because it is real money!
REPORT HEALTH CARE FRAUD! If you have or someone you know has... • Been double billed (billed twice) • Been billed for products or services not received • Been offered free services • Had personal information misused Call 202-434-2099 (All calls are confidential.) or email LCESMP@aarp.org
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0042 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.
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Legal Counsel for the Elderly is an affiliate of AARP.
Music fans will love hunkering down with “The Beatles from A to Zed” by Peter Asher. It’s an easybreezy book on the Fab Four, but indirectly — which means you’ll get some little-discussed, little-known tales that fans will need to know. Here’s another book that’s perfect for the music fan: “She Can Really Lay It Down” by Rachel Frankel, a book about music’s female rebels and rockers. Or look for “1973: Rock at the Crossroads” by Andrew Grant Jackson, a book that’s part history, part music history, and all perfect nostalgia. For the reader who loves a good true-medicine tale, try “The Open Heart Club” by Gabriel Brownstein. Written by a man whose life was saved by cardiac surgery when he was just a small child, this book looks at heart surgery in the distant past and what’s being done to cure the heart now. Another book to look for, whether you’re thinking it’s time to quit smoking, you’re fascinated about why anyone would start, or you’re just plain in need of something different is “The Cigarette: A Political History” by Sarah Milov. For parents or parents-to-be, how about something different: “Designing Babies” by Robert L. Klitzman, M.D. is a guidebook of sorts, filled with choices that potential Moms and Dads can make when taking that big step toward parenthood — but it’s also a book about how tomorrow’s generations are being affected by technology today.
Also, try “9 Months In, 9 Months Out” by Vanessa Lobue, which is a scientific look at pregnancy and being a parent, written by a scientist. The reader who hates the fact that Church has to be missed will enjoy having “The Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History” by Andrew T. Walther and Maureen H. Walther around. It’s a large, beautiful retrospective on the “K of C,” its contributions, and many of the leaders who influenced the Knights through the decades. Hang on to hope that this will be over soon, but reading “Nomad: Designing a Home for Escape and Adventure” by Emma Reddington. This heavy, beautiful book is filled with ideas for the person who wants to convert a bus, van, or boat into a permanent living space that’s movable. You can dream, can’t you? While you’re reading that one, keep “Making a Life” by Melanie Falick nearby; it’s a book on crafting, art and subsisting on that which you create. Depending on the view from your bed or sofa, “On Flowers” by Amy Merrick might be something to lift your spirits. It’s filled with photos, and its words reflect an appreciation for all things colorful. The book to read after that: “White Feathers: The Nesting Lives of Tree Swallows” by Bernd Heinrich, and learn about your feathered friends. Another book to find, one that’s perfect for environmentalists, is “Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther” by Craig Pittman. Filled with humor, action, and a pretty kitty, it’s great for animal lovers, too. And this: “Running with Sherman” by Christopher McDougall is a story of a donkey and you know you want it. If you’re thinking that now’s the time to consider a good break and a new business, “Discipline Strategy” by Timothy L. Coomer, PhD is a worthwhile read and a good place to start. It’s about decision-making, goal-setting and doing the best work you can offer to your customers. Sports fans, there’s no doubt that you’re feeling bereft without your favorite team on TV, so why not pick up a sports book instead? One like “Games of Deception” by Andrew Maraniss. It’s the tale of Nazi Germany, World War, and the United
States’ first Olympic basketball team. Another book for the sports fan is “The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant” by Bertrand Hėbert and Pat LaPrade. It’s a tale of wrestling, and the real man who made it fun to watch. If this quarantine is compounded by loss, look for “Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief” by David Kessler. It’s a book for healing that takes things just one step beyond old, conventional grieving. If you’re already tired of the same old meals, look for “Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen” by Alexander Smalls. There’s really only one thing you can say about it: yum.
TRUE CRIME
True crime fans will want to have “Highway of Tears” by Jessica McDiarmid in their laps while being quarantined. It’s a deep look into a tragedy: along a highway in British Columbia, officials have discovered dozens of murdered Indigenous women and girls through the decades. How this happened, what is being done about it, it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Also look for “The Lost Brothers” by Jack El-Hai, a missing-boys mystery that’s nearly seven decades old but still a very active case. Here’s one to whet your True Crime whistle: “Assassinations: The Plots, Politics, and powers Behind History-Changing Murders” by Nick Redfern. The title says it all... except “you’ll like it.” Another book you’ll like: “The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia” by Emma Copley Eisenberg, the story of a crime that impacted an entire geographical area. If you’ve always wondered what it might be like to be in a high government crime-fighting position, then you’ll want to read “The Unexpected Spy” by Tracy Walder with Jessica Anya Blau. It’s the story of Walder’s years with the FBI and the CIA and the life of one woman inside the world of taking down terrorists. And if you’ve always wondered how crime-fighters do their work, then look for “American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI” by Kate Winkler Dawson. It’s a book about the man who helped set the stage for the way forensics is done, even today — and that includes the things he got all wrong. WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL
Self-isolation Opens Door to Increased Domestic Violence
Americans are being told to stay home as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep across the country. And while it’s been proven to be the most efficient way to decrease the spike in infections and deaths, there’s also an unfortunate side effect that has arisen – an increase in domestic violence. In fact, experts warn that isolation may well result in “devastating” outcomes for survivors now being forced to hunker down in shelters that have already proven to be unsafe if not downright deadly. Consider, that while surviving adults and children once were able to leave home and go to safer environs including schools, workplaces or the homes of other family members or neighbors, now there’s nowhere to go. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, isolation presents an “incredibly distressing” time for survivors with the group already hearing examples of how the coronavirus outbreak has impacted victims. The Centers for Disease Control say about one-in-four women and one-in-seven men have experienced several physical violence from an intimate partner. Now, with stress at a higher level than normal, it’s likely to cause even more anger and frustration in families – even without abuse being a routine component within their everyday lives. It’s hard to predict the numbers but with more than 15,000 cases of coronavirus across the nation and with 201 deaths as of last Friday, domestic violence volunteers are fearing the worst. Locally, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam along with Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks have both raised the issue as one that must not be overlooked. D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine also suggests that adults interact with teens and younger children about managing stress and conflict at home. ““Domestic violence still remains an issue in many of our communities, and we are seeing that the stress and tension that this brings often brings about more and more of those cases,” said Alsobrooks during a recent press conference adding that commissioners’ offices are still issuing domestic violence petitions during the COVID-19 crisis. Confining abusers and victims at home is adding pressure to what already might be a violent situation, she added. If you’re concerned about your or someone else’s well-being, we urge you to call local police or the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency which has a crisis counseling hotline at 800-985-5990. Help also exists by calling 800-799-SAFE (the National Domestic Violence Hotline). Be safe and remain in isolation to better protect yourselves from the coronavirus but be equally careful not to allow increased tension, anxiety or frustration to rise to such levels that you are led to hurt or abuse those whom you love. WI
Reviving Hope at the End of the Pandemic Each day Americans are forced to deal with COVID-19, they also face new hopes and greater fears of what’s yet to come. Mass closings of public facilities from large arenas to small businesses such as barbershops and beauty salons are exacerbating the public’s frustrations and fears. Escalating calls for social distancing, self- isolation, state-wide shutdowns and enforcement measures by police departments, as well as the National Guard, point to the seriousness of this established pandemic. The case has been proven that this coronavirus affects everyone, from a recently reported one-year old child, to seniors over the age of 60, and everyone in between. This virus does not discriminate, and its effects have shown to range anywhere from asymptomatic to deadly. Still, too many Americans are refusing to take this global health crisis seriously. It’s hard not to when the numbers show that [as of press time] there were 372,757 confirmed cases of infections across the globe, with 16, 231 deaths. In the U.S., the CDC reported on Tuesday that there are 44,183 cases reported among all 50 states and a total of 544 deaths. Even President Trump has not yet grasped the seriousness of this pandemic. Most likely against the advice of his Coronavirus Task Force members, Trump declared that
TO THE EDITOR 2020 Grads Deserve Better I feel so bad for all the kids at Howard University and everywhere else that won’t get to graduate in a ceremony this spring. You wait your whole life for these moments. You struggle through college, just to say you made it, and now everything’s canceled. Even if they reschedule something for a later date, it won’t be the same. Heartbreaking. Jamie Ferrer Washington, D.C.
America will win the “war” against this “invisible enemy” by Easter. “Ultimately the goal is to ease the guidelines and to open things up to very large sections of our country, as we near the end of our historic battle with the invisible enemy,” Trump said during a White House Press Briefing on Tuesday. Despite Trump’s wishes and government leaders’ mandates, the lead story is how Americans are coming together to help one another, despite the government’s delayed efforts. Acts of kindness can be seen all across the nation and right here in the D.C., where in Ward 8, returning citizens are assisting non-profits to provide food to
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Is It 2021 Yet? Boy, I tell you, 2020 sounded real good in 2019 — a new decade, the “twenties,” 2020 vision. All that stuff people was saying. This has turned out to be a terrible year and it ain’t even over. First Kobe Bryant gone, now coronavirus killing people by the boatload every day. Is this the rapture? Just asking. Tommy McDougall Germantown, Md.
families in need. Patrons of two of the ward’s newest and most popular establishments – Busboys and Poets and Turning Natural – received an outpouring of support after vandals broke open their storefront windows earlier this week. Overcoming the fear of coronavirus is difficult against a backdrop of daily news stories that suggest fear is an appropriate response over hope. This pandemic will come to an end, and when it does, social adjustments will continue to be forced upon us. For many, life won’t ever be the same, and for many others, that may be something hoped for. WI
MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 23
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Julianne Malveaux
Will the Coronavirus Hit Black Folks Harder?
Restaurants, museums, libraries, gyms and bars are closed. So are schools, from K-12 to higher education. Classes will be conducted online or not at all. A local vendor told me her receipts were down by 85 percent, and she hopes not to close before the “national emergency” is over. Our streets are deserted, with some cities asking people to “self-quarantine,” or, in the words of several mayors, “stay
home unless it is urgent.” The shutdowns have affected our economy. Consumer spending is more than two-thirds of GDP. If people aren’t working, people aren’t spending. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin estimates that unemployment will rise to a scary 20 percent, just a bit lower than depression-rate unemployment levels. And when America gets a cold, Black America gets the flu. Black unemployment has been twice the white unemployment rate. That means the Black community might experience unemployment of around
Guest Columnist
40 percent. That’s frightening! Why are Black folks more vulnerable? We are more likely to work in the service occupations and in the gig economy. While jurisdictions are exploring the possibility of paying people who cannot work because of quarantines, it is not clear how many will be excluded from this relief. There are talks of giving everyone with an income under $85,000 a $1,000 cash payment. And then what? Meanwhile, government is planning a big bailout for airlines, hotels, cruise lines, the auto industry and
others. If these folks get a bailout, it ought to be a loan, not a gift. After all, some of these industries, notably the auto industry, got bailouts in 2008, but they were loans, not grants. Those who got grants, like the “too big to fail” banks, were supposed to use it to pump money into the economy. Instead, they tightened credit requirements, so few could qualify for loans. The 2008 bailout was unevenly applied and industries that didn’t have effective lobbyists did much worse than others. Many of the companies paid the government back. We need
to make sure they all pay it back this time. My greatest concern is for the medically vulnerable, people who have diabetes, lung disease and heart disease, as well as those who are over 60. This includes nearly half of all African American women (47.3 percent), along with 44.8 percent of African American men. The incidence of heart disease for white women (33.8 percent) and men (37.4 percent) is significantly lower.
MALVEAUX Page 41
By Dr. Valda Crowder
Neighborhoods with ‘Medical Deserts’ Have Emergency Needs During Coronavirus A zip code has become a life-ordeath matter. Families that live more than an hour from a hospital may face a death sentence based on their address. A long ambulance ride increases the risk of death. Patients with respiratory emergencies, like the ones caused by the novel coronavirus, are particularly vulnerable. According to the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, over 1,000 hospitals in our country
have closed since 1975. As a result, communities from coast to coast have populations in which residents must drive more than 60 minutes to reach an acute care hospital. These places are called “medical deserts.” They exist in every state. Now is the time to strengthen known weaknesses in our health care safety net. We desperately need new investment in our health care infrastructure. A recent study by the U.K. Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team anticipates the “capacity limits of the U.K. and U.S. health system being exceeded many
Guest Columnist
times over.” It warns that “even if all patients are able to be treated, we predict there would still be in the order of 250,000 deaths in Great Britain and 1.1-1.2 million deaths in the U.S.” As an emergency medicine physician and chair of the Health Committee of Black Women for Positive Change, I call on the nation’s leaders to immediately implement three recommendations to improve access to medical care and thereby save lives before it is too late. (1) The U.S. Congress Should
Pass Legislation to Create Free Standing Emergency Departments (FSEDs). FSEDs are 24-7 emergency departments established in communities that lack immediate health care services. Stand-alone emergency departments are physically separate from hospitals. They can be independently-, hospital- or government-owned and are staffed by emergency medicine physicians. FSEDs are available for walk-in patients and accept patients arriving by ambulance. These facilities treat and discharge patients while
also transporting admitted cases to full-service hospitals by ambulance or helicopter. FSEDs can be quickly built and maintained at a fraction of the cost of large hospitals. FSEDs are just as effective at providing time sensitive critical medical care services as hospital associated emergency departments. FSEDS can be a vital safety net for people who live in medical deserts. (2) Convert Unused Spaces into Temporary COVID-19 Hospitals.
CROWDER Page 41
By Nsenga K. Burton
Dear Black People: Coronavirus Can and Will Kill You
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, or “’rona” as some are calling it, will kill you. You may have seen some of the conspiracy theories, myths or outright lies floating around the internet stating that Black folks cannot get coronavirus. You may have the false belief that those with “melanin poppin’” cannot get this deadly virus or if they get it, will not die from
it. Stop the madness. Actor Idris Elba, NBA stars on multiple teams and Black folks in your everyday life have it. You may have heard the sad case of retired nurse Pat Frieson, 61, who became the first casualty of the virus in Illinois. What looked like an asthma attack has now been classified as coronavirus. Frieson has a sister in the same hospital also suffering from the same symptoms and now fighting for her life. Ms. Frieson and her sister are Black. Ives Green. a 58-year-old runner
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and award-winning Special Olympics athlete, became the first person in Louisiana to die from coronavirus. He lived in a facility for people with developmental disabilities and had limited exposure to people from outside of the facility. His family is still trying to figure out how someone seemingly in great health, contracted coronavirus. Mr. Green is Black. You may have heard of Dr. James Pruden, 71, an emergency room doctor in Paterson, N.J., who is now
in critical condition after testing positive for coronavirus. He is a trained first responder who is in charge of the hospital’s emergency preparedness unit and lead the hospital through the swine flu outbreak in 2009. Dr. Pruden is now fighting for his life and he is Black. Melanin is not vibranium and America isn’t Wakanda, even in the Marvel Universe, so why some Black people, who are often disproportionately impacted by medical conditions for a myriad of reasons, believe they
are immune to coronavirus is beyond me. For those who think Idris Elba isn’t “Black, Black,” the British-born brother’s parents are from Sierra-Leone and Ghana meaning he is African in addition to being a Black Brit which makes him unequivocally “Black, Black.” For the record, people in 19 African countries have tested positive for coronavirus and, for sure, they are “Black Black.”
BURTON Page 41
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Marc H. Morial
Coronavirus Crisis Highlights Racial Disparity in Health Care, Economy
“Far too many African Americans still struggle to lead healthy and economically secure lives. This is due to the long-standing effects of racism, which touches all African Americans, regardless of socioeconomic status. These effects can be reversed, but it will take real commitment and systemic change. It
shouldn’t have taken an international pandemic to prove to America’s leaders what civil rights activists have known all along: a system in which people can’t afford to seek medical care and are forced to go to work sick is a recipe for national disaster.” — Jamila Taylor, director of health care reform and senior fellow of The Century Foundation At every point along our health care and economic systems, Black
Americans are more vulnerable to the most serious effects of the coronavirus crisis. We are more likely to have underlying health complications, like asthma. Our complaints are less likely to be taken seriously by medical professionals. We are less likely to receive treatment for our complaints. Even with treatment, we are less likely to experience positive outcomes. The high level of disparity erodes Black Americans’ trust in the health
Guest Columnist
care system. Although the Affordable Care Act extended health insurance to 2.8 million African-Americans, 9.7 percent remained uninsured in 2019, compared with 5.4 percent among whites. Out-of-pocket health care expenses represent 20% of household income for Black families, compared with 11% for white households. Several months ago, researchers found that a process used to guide
health care decisions for millions of people was beset with racial bias, drastically underestimating the needs of the sickest Black patients. According to The Washington Post: The algorithm wasn’t intentionally racist — in fact, it specifically excluded race. Instead, to identify patients who would benefit from more med-
During this critical period of our being forced to slow down and do things in a different way, maybe we can teach ourselves to be more patient about things that really matter. Maybe we can take the time to be more thoughtful toward others. We can take the time to call friends and family we’ve neglected to call for a very long time. Instead of sending demanding messages that require immediate responses, let’s try sending warm, encouraging ones for others who may be going through very stressful times. Even when there’s no coronavirus concern, all of us go through something, but too often we don’t
take the time to deal with it. We move on to the next challenge without dealing with the one we just went through. If your work has slowed down or become nonexistent, why not begin writing that book you’ve always thought about writing? Why not learn to meditate? Why not work some crossword puzzles? Why not just do nothing for a few days? That’s probably the hardest thing in the world for a normally busy person to do — but it may be just what you need. Since I can’t do all the things I normally do in a day, I’ve stepped
MORIAL Page 42
By E. Faye Williams
A Good Time for Patience
Most of us run around every day, often frantically and stressed out wondering how we’re going to handle everything that is on our plate. Day after day, we worry, but we refuse to stop and figure out what our next step is. We often don’t eat right because we have so much to do. We don’t exercise because there’s just not enough time. We don’t take the time to read a good book that would just be enjoyable to read. We rush from
place to place trying to solve the problems of the world. Now, we’re faced with something we might never have heard of before called coronavirus. Not only due to presidential orders, governors’ orders, orders of local officials, CDC and other health agencies giving us directives, we’ve been forced to pause. This might be a good time to have patience since what happens next is beyond our control. We might do what Dr. Dee Carroll suggests in her book, “Emotional Emancipation.” She urges us to step into our freedom, reinvent our challenges and move beyond them. For an unknown
Guest Columnist
amount of time, we’ve been forced to slow down our pace from the things we usually do. We’ve been taken away from our usual hustle and bustle routine. No matter what we do personally, we don’t have the know-how to resolve the coronavirus, so this seems like a good time to show some patience. Maybe this is a good time to listen to the words of Dr. Homayoun Sadeghi who said, “everything that happens is a gift, how adversity can make us magnificent creatures if we let it, and how embracing it can bring about an amazing journey of emotional healing and overall health.”
WILLIAMS Page 42
By Marian Wright Edelman
Help Through Our Shared Crisis
As our nation and world enter the full terrors of the COVID-19 crisis, the Children’s Defense Fund has been taking special steps to ensure that our most vulnerable children and their families are protected. We urged and applauded the swift passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes critical provisions for children and families like access to coronavirus
testing and expanded food assistance, unemployment benefits and paid sick leave. And we are pushing for children to be a priority in the next relief package, which must include supports for families facing financial crisis and homelessness, children in the child welfare system and much more. Congress must put people before politics and act now to help children. We will also continue to share resources from experts on how the coronavirus impacts children, how to talk to children about the outbreak and more.
For example: • American Academy of Pediatrics has information on the COVID-19 pandemic, including symptoms, how to protect your family, how to prepare for school or child care closings and talking to children. The AAP also has information on hand washing. • Our partners at Generations United have created a fact sheet for grandfamilies and multigenerational families to stay healthy, informed and connected. • The Food Research & Action
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Center (FRAC) has compiled a list of resourcesrelated to ensuring that children who are out of school can still access meals. They are also sharing an action and advocacy tool for maximizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) role in supporting health, food security and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. • The US Department of Labor has a portal to provide information about applying for unemployment benefits in your state.
• The Juvenile Law Center, The Hope Center and School House Connection published a fact sheet on supporting students who are homeless or in foster care. • UNICEF has tips for how to talk to your children about the COVID-19 pandemic. • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sharing guidance on managing mental health and coping during COVID-19 for children and
EDELMAN Page 42
MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 25
LIFESTYLE A CONTINUING SERIES
By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir As Americans try to cope with the shutdown of classrooms and college campuses, restaurants in which they can no longer congregate or sporting events and concerts that have been put on indefinite hold, citizens of all ages find themselves seeking new ways to enjoy life and entertain themselves. And given the creative spirit that exists within us all, we thought we’d try to identify a few suggestions for coping with the directive of self-isolation in a society that has long sought ways to be in community. What follows certainly cannot begin to be considered an exhaustive list. We solicit your ideas and strategies as well and hope to include them in our upcoming editions. Feel free to share them with The Washington Informer at mcneirdk@washingtoninformer.com
THE ‘GREAT AMERICAN TAKEOUT’ – FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Tuesday, March 24 was a special day for local and national restaurants in the U.S. Labeled as the “Great American Takeout,” participants were asked to post on social media and use the hashtag #GreatAmericanTakeout to help spread the word, encouraging Americans to order to-go from their favorite eateries. The day was planned to support the restaurant industry by ordering takeout and some restaurants offered some great deals to bolster participation. Yes, America’s restaurants face a
real crisis with the people stuck indoors and at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Even the major chains like Chili’s, Longhorn Steakhouse and Olive Garden are in trouble, not to mention your favorite diner or hamburger joint. Not only are they losing money fast but some are either laying off staff or considering closing – perhaps for good. Even fast food chains like McDonalds and Burger King have some great deals and they’re continuing indefinitely, as long as you use their apps to order your food and then have your food delivered or pick up your goodies at the drivethrough window. Hey, we have to eat, right? So, keep those night out meals coming. Just order ahead of time and enjoy the comfort of your favorite chair or couch at home. It’s just food for thought.
to enjoy our favorite vocalists, bands and orchestras. It’s just another adjustment the world is making due to the coronavirus pandemic. Who said humans can’t change?
HELP CHILDREN FIND HOPE IN THE FUTURE WITH ‘RAINBOWS’
Mothers in the U.S. and England have started a trend that’s quickly catching on. In order to encourage their children, many of whom are now forced to stay home for distance learning and unable to play with their friends at school because of the coronavirus pandemic, they’re coming out with ways to keep their kids from sinking into depression. One way that’s caught on like wildfire is having the children draw pictures of rainbows and then putting them in the windows of their homes. The rainbows signify their belief that there’s hope for a brighter tomorrow. And just like the rain which sometimes dampens our spirits, we know that one day, the sun will come out and the rainbow will lead the way. Yes, it may seem dark now but help your children understand that like all things which may disappoint us or even cause us anxiety and fear, things will get better. The sun will come out – maybe not tomorrow – but eventually. It always does, right?
IF BOREDOM’S GETTING TO YOU, TRY ‘SOCIAL DISTRACTING’
With bars and venues on lock down from coast-to-coast, musicians are turning to a new way of getting the beat out, on and for some, make a few needed dollars too: they’re live-streaming music content. Here in the DMV, go-go bands are making the most of opportunities to help fans of the locally-founded and beloved genre get their groove on. In fact, some views have even topped 100,00 anxious go-go aficionados. Of course, all kinds of music are now being live-streamed, from the New York Metropolitan Opera to John Legend – even those adorable figures from the land of Disney. It remains to be seen how this new form of musical presentation will play out but we believe there’ll soon be live-stream promoters and producers making the most of our need
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STAY HEALTHY CREATIVELY WITH ‘RAINBOW-COLORED FOODS’
According to healthy-eating advocates, good nutrition is more than a black-and-white issue. Just the opposite – it’s best to fill your grocery carts with a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits. In fact, the many colors found in the produce aisle are actually powerful antioxidants that offer significant health benefits to the human body. And since you’re home now a lot more than before, you may want to try out some different fruits and vegetables for your daily recipes and treats. But did you know that different colors equate to different benefits with the varying shades of fruits and
vegetables providing many antioxidants with a variety of functions? Orange-yellow fleshed vegetables and fruits like butternut squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and mango are replete with the carotenoid antioxidant beta carotene which can be converted to vitamin A and bolsters immune health. Red-tinged tomatoes, watermelon and grapefruit possess the phytonutrient lycopene which is known for anti-cancer efficacy. Blue and purple options as in blueberries, plums, purple potatoes and the eggplant’s skin are great for brain-boosting due to their anthocyanin antioxidants. Then there’s a potent antioxidant which boosts eye health and is found in healthy amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, plentiful in leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach. So, mix up your colors and improve your health.
and pork – all of which are essential to our body’s building antibodies and fighting infection. Dark chocolate, ounce for ounce, contains more of the disease-fighting antioxidants, polyphenols, than most berries, are is chockful of zinc as well. – another way to boost the immune system. Another way to maintain a strong immune system is eating orange fruits and vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes which are rich in beta carotene. It’s a compound that easily converts into vitamin A – also a tried and true means of maintaining a strong immune system. Variety is, without question, the spice of life – and an easy way to help fight off colds. Who knew it was so easy to keep the household free of the sniffles and the blahs?
WARD OFF COLDS AND FLU WITH ‘SUPERFOODS’ OF COLOR
Is it true that you are what you eat? Sure, say dieticians as they speak about vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And with more people stuck in the house, you want to make sure to decrease the chance of someone catching a cold or the flu and passing it on to the rest of the household. Adding a spice of variety to your diet can be of great benefit – and they’re certainly healthier – sometimes even a bit tastier given time, than the standard fast food choices you’re used to at McDonald’s, Burger King or the always reliable Popeye’s. Why not give fish, garlic, citrus fruits, yogurt, skinless turkey breast, blueberries, dark chocolate, or carrots and sweet potatoes a try? Fish, like salmon or tuna, help reduce harmful inflammation in the body which unchecked prevents the immune system from working properly and therefore contributes to the flu or colds. Most of you know that citrus fruits are filled with vitamin C – a powerful nutrient that may reduce a cold’s duration by about a day or so. Yogurt is one of those probiotic foods that have received a lot of attention recently on TV commercials and are a great way to replenish beneficial strains of bacteria. In regular doses, it promotes digestive health and helps ward off stomach ailments as well as upper respiratory tract infections. Turkey, without the skin, serves as a high protein, as well as chicken
MYTHS ABOUND ABOUT ANTI-CORONAVIRUS MASKS
With fears of the coronavirus impacting people in hundreds of nations, folks are swooping up protective face masks in hopes of keeping safe from COVID-19 and keeping it at bay. Some companies in China, for instance, have even required them for their employees. And schools in South Korea have gone one step further, requiring parents to send their kids to school with masks and hand sanitizer. But the question remains, do the masks work. The answer: it depends. All viruses are small enough to get through a typical strap-on medical mask but the germs don’t generally spread through the air one at a time, according to medical experts. As viruses ride from person to person on droplets from a sneeze or cough, masks can block large droplets from those coughs and sneezes so they do have some value. Still, the best way to avoid getting sick is much simpler: wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. As for masks, they are not currently recommended for the general public but are sug-
UPDATE Page 29
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Pestilences Among Obstacles Endured by Black Women of Suffrage Movement By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia This is part of an ongoing Washington Informer series about the Women’s Suffrage Movement and an initiative that includes Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes that will use the lens of history, the fabric of art and culture and the venue of the public square to shine a light into dark places, equipping all with a compass to chart the way forward. The initiative lives in the institutional home of the Washington Informer Charities. The coronavirus pandemic comes on the heels of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment that gave women in America the right to vote — fitting, since the
women’s suffrage movement began by having to not only overcome opposition but pestilences. One such disease was the typhus epidemic that hit the U.S. hard. That disease claimed 20,000 lives between 1847 and 1852. By 1920, suffragists had to also deal with the Encephalitis lethargica pandemic, which killed 1.5 million people worldwide, and just two years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the Spanish flu wreaked havoc on the world, causing an estimated 100 million deaths between 1918 and 1920. For suffragists, pestilences were just another obstacle, particularly for Black women. Women such as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Maria W. Stewart, Henrietta Purvis, Harriet
Forten Purvis, Sarah Redmond and Mary Ann Shadd Cary endured racism, sexism and, like the rest of the world, the onslaught of deadly viruses. Yet they remained committed to fighting for women’s rights, and during the antebellum period, each was actively involved in advocating for women’s rights and suffrage. According to an essay written by Sharon Harley for the National Park Service, following the 1848 women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, prominent free Black women abolitionists and suffragists attended, spoke, and assumed leadership positions at multiple women’s rights gatherings throughout the 1850s and 1860s. In 1851, former slave Sojourner Truth delivered her famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech at the national women’s rights convention in Akron, Ohio. Sarah Remond and her brother Charles won wide acclaim for their pro-woman suffrage speeches at the 1858 National Woman’s Rights Convention in New York City. “Like white suffragists, African American women linked suffrage to a
LIFESTYLE
5 Black Women of the Suffrage Movement (National Endowment for the Humanities via National Women’s History Museum)
multitude of political and economic issues to further their cause and engaged in multiple strategies to secure women’s political and voting rights within and outside the organized suffrage movement,” Harley wrote. “At the same time, they combatted anti-Black discrimination in the southern United States and within the predominantly white national woman suffrage organizations.” As preparations to observe the rati-
fication of the 19th century likely will stall because of the coronavirus, many may note the various pestilences, disease and other obstacles that faced all in the original suffrage movement. “Historians are relatively silent about the relationship between state-level women’s suffrage laws and local hygiene campaigns,” Grant Miller wrote for the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. WI
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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 27
LIFESTYLE
Newspapers Remain Essential Especially During Chaotic Times, Industry Leaders Say By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
5 The Black press in action. (Photo courtesy of AALBC)
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered 75 percent of the workforce in nonessential services to stay at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. In Miami-Dade County, Florida, Mayor Carlos Gimenez expanded a closure order to include malls and casinos.
5 Ac
HAPPENINGS & THINGS TO DO IN ALEXANDRIA: 1. Check out VisitAlexandriaVA.com 2. Stay tuned to the visitALX blog at visitALX.com 3. Sign up for the Alexandria Insider monthly e-newsletter at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/eNews
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In San Francisco, more than 7 million people are affected by a lockdown order there, including all non-essential businesses. Throughout the country, public officials have ordered the shutdown of nonessential businesses with the goal of stemming the spread of the coronavirus. But there’s an ever-growing call to ensure that print newspapers and the companies who run them are considered essential. “It should be readily apparent that local news publishers are carrying out an absolutely essential function in conveying accurate, reliable and critical information to the public at a time of great need,” said David Chavern, CEO of the nonprofit News Media Alliance. “Many consumers are using our digital products, which can often be created and accessed remotely. However, there are still a large number of readers who rely exclusively on the production of our print products.” Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade organization that represents the 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies that make up the Black Press of America, said the printed page certainly counts as essential. In a letter to NNPA publishers, editors, partners, sponsors, advertisers and supporters, Chavis noted the
coronavirus pandemic has had a crippling effect on America and the world. Amid the national health crisis emergency from the expanding pandemic of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the Black Press continues to publish and inform 50 million African Americans through our print and digital properties, Chavis wrote. “As an alternative to convening in Washington, D.C. this week for 2020 Black Press Week, we are recognizing and saluting the 193rd Anniversary of the Black Press of America virtually and digitally across the United States for the remainder of this year,” Chavis noted. “All of our publications continue routinely to print and our websites and social media channels are being updated hourly and daily. “We are the national trade association of these African American owned publishing industry businesses,” he said. “It is important that we keep our businesses open, viable and sustainable during the duration of the current global health crisis. “We, therefore, especially thank all our corporate partners and sponsors, as well as our philanthropic supporters of the National Newspaper Publishers Association,” Chavis wrote. “Through your continued support, we are able to continue to be the trusted voice of Black America.” WI
DEVELOPER from Page 12
March 21 the county would receive $25 million annually for 30 years “to supplement local funds for our unique P3 initiative that will boost our school construction and renovation projects.” One bill Barron plans to bring back next year focuses on establishing an independent Office of Inspector General for Health. Currently, the inspector general is a unit within the state Health Department. The bill he presented as a lead sponsor passed the House with a 130-3 vote March 17. However, it reached the Senate Finance Committee on the last day of the legislative session March 18. “The health department, which oversees 33 percent of the state budget, has been plagued with problems include the procurement and services to our more needy,” he said. “An unleashed watchdog will provide much-needed oversight.” WI
Previous estimates showed the county payment at $361 million, the highest in the state. The county has 45 community schools, which would provide more counselors, mental health providers and other resources in those areas with high concentrations of poverty. Lawmakers also passed the $2.2 billion public school construction bill, the Built to Learn Act of 2020. Prince George’s would get its share of state funding through a public-private partnership (P3) to help speed the process. The county became the first jurisdiction in the nation to use the P3 model for school construction with at least five school slated for completion in three years. Del. Erek Barron (D-District 24) of Mitchellville said in an email Saturday,
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LIFESTYLE
BARBER SHOPS from Page 15 Barber and Grooming Salon in the Northwest neighborhood of Takoma Park. “Our staff is prepared for the virus,” said Ralph Thomas, head barber of D’s Barber and Grooming Salon in Takoma Park. “The virus is affecting the business, definitely.” Thomas said his older customers are more concerned about the coronavirus than their younger clients seem to be. Regardless of age, Thomas said, he tells all of his customers to “wash their hands, stay out of the reach of sick people, and cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.” “If people do that, we will get this under control,” he said. Both Henderson and Thomas say that her business and his employer, respectively, may have to rely on government assistance until the coronavirus has come under control. Henderson said she has talked with the executive director of Shaw Main Streets about the possibility of financial support. “I heard from [Alex] Padro, and he said he would work with us to secure relief,” she said. “I have also interacted with representatives at the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development and I have a link to the Small Business
UPDATE from Page 26 gested for people being evaluated for the new virus, those confirmed to have it, household members and caregivers. As for healthcare workers treating patients with the virus, they are advised by the CDC to take additional precautions like wearing goggles or face shields. So, while it seems like a great idea and a surefire cure, wearing masks won’t do much for the everyday person – even if they feel like they’re making monumental steps by covering their nose and mouth. Masks look like you’re in the know but those truly in the know are known to wash their hands frequently with soap and water. And that’s the truth.
CARDI B’S RIFF GOES VIRAL ON THE CORONAVIRUS
A week or two ago, the wild and crazy rapper extraordinaire, Cardi B, posted a short video for her over 60 million Instagram fol-
5 Wanda Henderson talks to the Informer about customer loyalty and how they support her business in Northwest. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
Administration. Hopefully, we can get some help.” Dwayne Williams, a longtime patron of Wanda’s, said the shop needs government support at this time. “Small businesses are the engine of D.C. and businesses like this need support,” said Williams, a resident of Southeast. “Wanda’s offers her customers a place to get their hair done and a sense of community when you come here. She takes care of us, and now it is time for the D.C. government to take care of her so she can continue to thrive.” WI lowers which shared how she felt what’s dominated the news scene: the COVID-19 pandemic. For 45 seconds, she unleashed with a fury of expletives saying things like, “Let me tell y’all something, I ain’t even gonna front, A bitch is scared. I’m a little scared.” Dressed, as always, provocatively, she takes on the Trump Administration and their response to the coronavirus pandemic, critical of the delay of the shipment of retail goods that suit her fancy before warning her followers to take heed – that the threat is real. Complete with a bevy of “bad words” she proclaims, “Coronavirus! Coronavirus! I’m telling you … is real.” Before long, a Brooklyn D.J and producer, DJ Markkeyz, noting that his fans were tagging him in the video’s comments with a request – you know what do to – reposted the short riff to his 150,000 followers
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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 29
LIFESTYLE
Davis Returns Home to Play for Redskins By Daniel Kucin Jr. WI Contributing Writer @danielkucin88 As a lifelong Washington Redskins fan, Sean Davis always wanted to have a chance to play for his hometown team. The former Maret School star wore the No. 21 in honor of his childhood hero Sean Taylor and played his idol’s position of safety as well. Now the 26-year-old D.C. native will have a chance to fulfill that dream as the Redskins signed Davis to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. Davis will play alongside Landon Collins, who also donned the same number earlier in his career to honor Taylor, who was 3 Former University of Maryland safety Sean Davis will play for his hometown Washington Redskins this season. (Daniel Kucin Jr./The Washington Informer)
HELP KICK HUNGER Gary Clark Washington Redskins
fatally shot during a home invasion at his Miami-area residence in 2007. “I’m from Maryland, so I’m a Redskins fan,” Davis said. “He wore No. 21, and his name was Sean, and I was like, ‘this dude is perfect.’ I just want to idolize myself after him. I loved everything about him. I’m a quiet dude, and he was real quiet to himself, just like me. I definitely love Sean Taylor.” Davis is familiar with the area after playing high school football at Maret, where he operated on both sides of the ball. During his senior year, Davis accounted for 87 tackles and three interceptions on defense, and he racked up more than 1,400 yards on offense and scored 12 total touchdowns, showing his versatility. “I was overlooked,” Davis said of his recruiting process. “I was undersized, coming from a very small school, but Maret is a good school, and I love where I came from.” The ballhawking defender stayed close to home and played collegiately at the University of Maryland, where he started at the cornerback position before mov-
ing to safety his senior year. During his four-year stint with the Terrapins, Davis racked up 319 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five interceptions. He also held top-10 honors in total tackles in the ACC (2013) and led the Big Ten Conference in solo tackles in 2014. His stellar play at Maryland garnered the interest of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which drafted him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Davis played in 48 games for the Steelers, recording 247 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five interceptions. He was on pace to have another exceptional year in 2019, but suffered a gruesome shoulder injury in Week 2, and the team put him on injury reserve shortly after. The Redskins have struggled to find a suitable safety following the death of Taylor. Since 2007, Washington has used more than 20 players at the position to replace the former Pro Bowler. Defensively, Washington ranked 18th against the pass, 31st against the run and No. 27 overall during the 2019 season. However, Davis could be the answer if he comes back healthy and jells with Collins. WI
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LIFESTYLE
wi book review “Virusphere: From Common Colds to Ebola Epidemics: Why We Need the Viruses that Plague Us” By Frank Ryan c.2020, Prometheus Books $24 / 278 pages By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Your hands are raw. But let’s face it: you’ll do anything to avoid getting sick or carrying the coronavirus home or to work. Nobody needs to be ailing when it’s almost spring. From what you can see, nobody needs to be exposed to this virus at all but read “Virusphere” by Frank Ryan because the virus needs you. Imagine not having to get a flu shot ever again. Imagine a world without colds, sniffles, raw noses, coughs, it would be magnificent to the average person, but not to Frank Ryan. He says he knows “that a world without viruses would not be one in which I would care to live.” To understand what surely seems like an odd thing to say, we should understand a few things about a virus — but first, you’re pretty awesome: your body is made of “roughly 30 to 40 trillion cells,” including microbes that are necessary for you to live and thrive. That might sound like Virus Heaven but the truth is that viruses are picky about who or what they inhabit. The rhinovirus, for instance, thrives best in human nasal linings. The polio virus exists exclusively in humans. Bats are the natural hosts for rabies, on the other hand, and if a dog or skunk or human gets the rabies virus, then … oops. What we must remember, says Ryan, is that viruses don’t target us out of a sense of anger or righteousness. They have no brains and they “are not evil.... But they are not free to do as they please.” Their only job, if you will, is to replicate inside their host in order to survive — which is scant comfort when you’re flat on the sofa. Maybe this helps: there’s evidence that the presence of some viruses found in the human body helps boost the immune system. There’s also reason to think that viruses altered the “genetic landscape... from its very beginnings.” And there’s the keen “importance of the viral contribution to the deep levels of ecological balance...” Viruses can be good. We just need to remember to take precautions. Your body aches, your head throbs, and this book isn’t going to do a darn thing to fix any of that. “Virusphere” doesn’t even have a list of tips for you to use. And yet, if you wonder how in the world this happened, it’s a book you’ll want. In scientific terms, author Frank Ryan explains where viruses evolved, their contagiousness, and how they work. It’s a complex subject that’s broken into understandable parts but this is still not a skimmable read that you’ll finish in an evening. No, it demands that you to pay attention. No problem: Ryan imparts a certain excitement about those things that cause misery, which makes this book like a peek into a hospital laboratory, or a tour of a geneticist’s workspace. Don’t be surprised, therefore, if “Virusphere” gives you a teensy bit of respect for viruses, bacteria and microbes. Don’t hesitate to put this book in your hands. Just be sure to wash them first. WI
horoscopes
MAR 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
ARIES This week brings things into focus. Choices that were vague now have clear considerations and decisions can be made. Others notice that you seem more sure of yourself, your confidence is shining through. Bring your mind into alignment with this positive energy by thinking emotionally healthy thoughts especially about your own potential and abilities. Lucky Numbers: 16, 20, 39 TAURUS You may have interesting dreams. Journaling and planning are both beneficial, as is outlining the steps you want to take to achieve your goals. Look into coaching or counseling and find someone who has a different perspective who can shed some light on where you’re stuck. Lucky Numbers: 4, 10, 27 GEMINI Friendships and potential love highlights the week as the new moon in Aries travels through your house of friendship and innovation. There could be activities with children, friends and a desire to invent things. The Aries new moon looks for action instead of just discussion. Lucky Numbers: 21, 37, 44 CANCER New moon periods are good times for Cancer natives. Your sign is more aligned with the moon and so as it emerges from the darkness you fresh energy. This new moon in Aries is at the zenith of your chart straddling your house of knowledge and your house of the practical application of what you know. The student becomes the teacher. It is quite possible you’ll receive recognition for something you’ve done. As a moon-ruled person, you might be tempted to step back into the shadows. But that’s not beneficial for you. Lucky Numbers: 2, 7, 16 LEO This week the new moon in Aries lights up your curiosity. It’s possible what you want to learn requires some formal schooling, but it’s also possible for you to find an individual, a tutor or helpful friend to guide you. You may feel very emotionally drawn to go back to college to get a degree. You may be looking for some certification or licensing. This week investigate different programs considering ones that are even far from your home. Lucky Numbers: 28, 33, 55 VIRGO The new moon in Aries puts a spotlight on your investments (or lack thereof). If you work for a large company, you may have opportunities for retirement plans and stock purchase options. These things can be confusing, even overwhelming, as there can be many choices and lots and lots of fine print. But this week it would be good to sit down and consider your options. Get help if needed as there is supportive energy for you this week. Lucky Numbers: 4, 13, 16 LIBRA This is the point in your chart where all new people can be met and connections can be made. Here marks a new beginning, one month of new energy, to bring in new people for you to meet and relate with. But as the focus is on others, you must remember to save a little time and energy for yourself. Lucky Numbers: 5, 12, 19 SCORPIO The new moon in Aries unfolds in your house of health and daily routines. You only have this Aries new moon in your health house once a year. As the sun, which rules your sense of self, comes together with the moon, which governs your needs, you see how your daily habits produce the results you’re getting. If you want to arrive at a different place, change directions this week. Lucky Numbers: 8, 17, 25 SAGITTARIUS For Sagittarius, the new moon in Aries brings light to your area of creativity, fertility, and risk-taking. You are a creative person, wise and with many skills. Now it’s time to make something tangible happen. The new moon traveling through this house indicates a new project or a creative venture. Don’t pass up this opportunity, it will not return again for another year. Lucky Numbers: 14, 43, 50 CAPRICORN The new Moon in Aries brings light to the base of your chart as it crosses into your house of home and family. Your residence becomes the focus. This could indicate you’re moving, redecorating, or maybe you’ve decided to become minimalist and are getting rid of all your stuff. Lucky Numbers: 1, 24, 37 AQUARIUS The new moon in Aries comes together with the sun in your house of short-distance travel, close friends and siblings. You may be planning a trip to visit someone who lives in a nearby town or perhaps the next state. You may call together neighbors to come over and share some food or to watch the game. This is a good week to connect with siblings, cousins and other extended family members and to enjoy good conversation reminiscing about the old days. Lucky Numbers: 4, 19, 23 PISCES Once a year the new moon in Aries lights up your house of finances. For the next few weeks, the sun will shine into all of the dark nooks and crannies that relates to your spending and your accumulation of belongings. You can use this spiritual light to help you attract more money, more opportunities, and it starts with you recognizing that you are deserving. Remove the blocks you put on yourself. Lucky Numbers: 29, 40, 51
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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 31
CAPTURE the moment
For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com
Tents have been set up all across the DMV for those who need to be tested, the suspected affected and overflow. Drive-thru sites:
6 DJ D-Nice has hosted several virtual dance parties on Instagram while most cities in the United States are shut down. His virtual club, called Club Quarantine has garnered well over 130,000 viewers and include quite a few celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. (Screen grab/Anthony Tilghman)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA • Children’s National Medical Center (drive-thru for kids) • George Washington University (tent at Foggy Bottom campus) MONTGOMERY COUNTY • Gaithersburg: 15 Metropolitan Grove Rd. • Walnut Hill: 16520 S. Westland Drive • Derwood: 15910 Chieftain Avenue • Silver Spring: 2121 Industrial Parkway • Glenmont: 12335 Georgia Avenue • White Oak: 2131 Industrial Parkway PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY • Beltsville: 11760 Baltimore Avenue • Upper Marlboro: 10251 Central Avenue • Hyattsville: 7401 Jefferson Avenue • Clinton: 7213 Old Alexandria Ferry Road St. Mary’s County • Leonardtown: 27351 Point Lookout Road FREDERICK COUNTY • Frederick: 1601 Bowman’s Farm Road VIRGINIA • Arlington: Virginia Hospital Center • Alexandria: Allcare
5 Miguel has joined the now popular way to engage fans through virtual Instagram Live concerts. (Screen grab/ Anthony Tilghman)
5 Local radio personality DJ Quicksilva also hosted a virtual party. (Screen grab/Anthony Tilghman)
3 Tuning into Instagram for a live stream concert with Anthony Hamilton from his living room made for a perfect blend of good vibes and great music. (Screen grab/Anthony Tilghman)
32 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
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SPORTS For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com
HU’s Tamoria Holmes Among 2020 WBCA Thirty Under 30 Honorees
Howard Alum Acknowledged as one of the Top Up-and-Coming Coaches
By Derek Bryant Howard University Athletics The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) unveiled its Thirty Under 30, presented by Marriott Bonvoy and Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, for the 2019-20 season where Howard University assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tamoria Holmes was among the honorees. The announcement
came Wednesday morning. The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentor ship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement. “Wow, I am extremely hum-
bled by this recognition from the WBCA,” Holmes expressed. “This industry can be tough at times, but I am honored that my hard work and perseverance hasn’t gone unnoticed.” Holmes wrapped up her third year after guiding HU to its third winning season in four years with a 16-15 overall record. Along the way, Holmes saw guards Ayonna Williams (Washington) and Jayla Thornton (Newark, N.J.) earn Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Conference honors. “I am extremely proud of Tamoria [Holmes],” said Howard women’s basketball head coach Ty Grace. “She is a hard worker and loves the game. She instantly impacted the lives of our student-athletes.” Holmes was a four-year letter winner and two-year captain for the Howard women’s basketball team (2009-13). She helped guide the Bison to the MEAC Tournament championship game three times in her collegiate career. After the 2011-12 campaign, she was named to the All-MEAC First Team after leading the conference in scoring with 18.3 points per game. That same season, the All-HBCU All-America honoree led HU to a 24-9 mark (14-2 MEAC) and WNIT berth.
“The WBCA is pleased to recognize up-and-coming talent in our coaching family,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “These coaches have demonstrated eagerness, effectiveness, loyalty, love of the game, and a commitment to the student-athlete. We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes.” The North Carolina native is a member of Howard’s 1,000-point club, earning her bachelor’s degree in health science in 2013. “She is an up-and-coming coach in this business,” Grace added. “We are lucky to have her back at Howard, a place she accomplished so much as a student-athlete and now has an opportunity as a coach. She is a coach on the rise.” This is the fifth year of the WBCA Thirty Under 30 program. Founded in 1981, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in
5 Howard University Women’s Assistant Coach Tamoria Holmes. (Photo courtesy Howard Athletics Media Relations)
the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. WI
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34 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
UPDATE from Page 29 on Instagram. The rest, as they say, is history after he did what he does best – remixing the riff and sending it all over the planet. Now, the “Coronavirus Remix” has hit No. 1 on iTunes from Brazil and Egypt to Bulgaria, recently cracking the Top 10 of the U.S. iTunes chart. Once again Cardi B has used her fame to address a topic worthy of social discussion. The DJ says he wanted people to enjoy the short riff but also hoped to show Cardi B the love so many have for her and to illustrate the impact she has on everyone all across the world. Another hit for the talented Cardi B and a surefire way to get the younger generation to engage in something as serious as life and death itself.
GRANDPARENTS LOVE THEIR LITTLE ONES DESPITE HEALTH RISKS
Over 6 million children in the U.S. live with a grandparent – 2.4 million of those without a birth parent in the home with the grandparents as the head of the house according to Generations United which advocates for multigenerational families throughout America. Grandparents serve additional roles vital to families including serving as caregivers while their parents work, particularly children under five with one-in-four kids nurtured in such a manner based on data from the last Census. But with the coronavirus, these multi-faceted grandparents find themselves at a crossroad: forced to choose between their own health or the continued support and care of children who have grown to rely upon them for guidance, care and protection. Many of these grandparents forgo their own health in order to secure care for their grandchildren. And the number of those
HOGAN from Page 13 violence still remains an issue in many of our communities,” she said. “We are seeing the stress and tension often brings about more and more of those cases. We will remain vigilant, even during this crisis, to take care of our residents.” Because shelters and other places are closed to the public, the National Network to End Domestic Violence points out that for individuals experiencing domestic violence, “this public health situation can expose additional dangers.”
who so that with inevitably rise with the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a real dilemma they now face. For children old enough to understand the danger their grandparents are placing themselves in, they often want their grandmothers and grandfathers to step away from them. In other cases, separation has already taken place with connections only possible through cell phones. Either way it’s painful.
CELLPHONES MAY BE ESSENTIAL BUT THEY’RE NOTORIOUS GERM CARRIERS
Everyone has a cellphone these days, from kids who can barely write their names to senior citizens who prefer keypads with enlarged letters and numerals. And while they’ve become an extension of our arms, they also can be our worst enemy – especially with the current coronavirus pandemic causing havoc worldwide. We’re advised to keep our hands clean and off our faces – that’s hard enough. But your phone, as a “hightouch surface” is something that our fingertips touch with great frequency. And that surface is a great germ carrier. What’s more, the CDC still has no real idea on how long the virus can cling to a surface – but they say it could be a few hours or days. So, you may want to start a new regiment: cleaning your cell phone frequently, along with the protective cases and delicate glass that keeps your cellphone from being damaged. Don’t use spray cleaners or heavy-duty products; don’t use bleach or aerosol sprays and of course, don’t dunk your phone in water. As for coronavirus testing, the county Health Department and the state are working to set up drive-thru screening and a testing station at FedEx Field in Landover. Members of the Maryland National Guard are helping to set up the station also assisted by the University of Maryland. Ernest Carter, the county’s chief health officer, said a date for testing at the location hasn’t been determined because there’s still few testing kits in the state. “The governor and the county executive don’t want to open it up unless we have enough test kits to
But what are the do’s to clean that infernal contraption? The CDC suggests Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or one with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. EPA-registered household disinfectants will work too. And, believe it or not, when you’re cleaning your phone, you’re advised to wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly when you’re done. Even reusable gloves can hold virus particles so only one use is both effective and safe. Make sure you wipe your phone’s case, too. You may even want to wipe it down, in and out, very thoroughly and then let it dry before reassembling. Finally, your safest if you keep your filthy phone away from your face – that means use headphones or a Bluetooth so you can hear and be at your safest. Wow! Now we have to clean our hands, keep our hands away from our nose, mouth and face . . . and keep the gadgets cleaned regularly. That what you get when you become hooked on the new technology. WI
be continuous and sustainable,” he said. “Not everybody needs a test and the state has been very stringent on those test guidelines. We’re going to abide by that.” Alsobrooks acknowledged she shares similar concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. “These are unprecedented times that no one has seen before,” she said. “Coronavirus will not have the final say. It will take us some time to get out of this. We will come together as a community as we have done. When we dig out of this, we will be stronger than ever before. Hang in there.” WI
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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT
‘Self-Made’: The Story of Madam C.J. Walker
I am not merely satisfied in making money for myself, for I am endeavoring to provide employment for hundreds of women of my race. ... I want to say to every Negro woman present, don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them! — Madam C.J. Walker On March 20, Netflix kicked off “Self-Made,” the four-part story of the life of Sarah Breedlove, better known as Madam C.J. Walker, the first female millionaire in America. My first surprise was when I learned the initials “C.J.” came after she married her second husband, Charles Joseph Walker, whom everybody called C.J. The movie is inspired by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, a D.C. resident and my honorary sister of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. She said to me in an email, “Octavia [Spencer] does a fantastic job of conveying Madam Walker’s courage and tenacity and showing the challenges of building a business. I hope after seeing the fictionalized Hollywood version, many people will want to read my books! ‘On Her Own Ground,’ the inspiration for the series, has been renamed ‘Self Made’
to tie in with the movie. I’ve written a new epilogue and also recorded the audio book.” A’Lelia was my special guest on “The Lyndia Grant Show” on Dec. 7, 2018, during which she told Spirit 1340 listeners about this exciting new Netflix movie being filmed at the time of her interview. I promised to help promote the show, so I’m keeping my word, especially since this exciting movie has come out during Women’s History Month. In the opening scene, Sarah Breedlove reunites with her first husband on his first day home from prison. He was glad to see her until her scarf fell off, and she had bald spots all over her head. He beat her severely, cut her arm with a broken whiskey bottle and told her, “you look like a mangy dog!” Then he left! She shed tears, calling herself ugly. As we know, to “count it all joy,” like Scripture tells us to do, is easier said than done. We must ask what many might think is a silly question: Why must we face such horrific trials and tribulations and why are we told to count them all joy? Is there a right way and a wrong way to approach trials? 1 Peter 1:7 says where the testing of our faith is compared, is like comparing it to the quality and purity of gold. The book of James tells us to have a purpose. When we have a purpose, no matter what seems to come up
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
against us, we will dodge bullets and come out of the trials without missing one step. You are on a mission, and nothing will stop you. You will see how Sarah Breedlove did this very thing. The Holy Spirit was with her and for you too, when you walk in your anointed purpose! Have you found yourself stunned, sitting in the middle of a dark place, wondering, “How did this happen to me?” Did you feel so shocked by what just happened to you that you could not pray? Yet the Lord knew just how you felt. Could it all have been a test? The tears Sarah Breedlove shed helped shape her future, and she never stopped dreaming. Without giving away the whole story, I’m delighted to share how wonderful this movie is! I’ve watched the series four times over a two-day period. It is truly worth watching to learn how Madam C.J. Walker became so rich while helping others. She beat every woman, Black or white, to becoming the U.S.’s first female millionaire. That title is hers for all eternity. Though, according to an email message from great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, this is a fictional story based on facts, tune in to “Self-Made” during this pandemic and enjoy. Also, order a copy of A’Lelia’s book and read the true story of Madam C.J. Walker. WI
John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.
5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089
1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005
“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org
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Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
Reverend John W. Davis Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
(301) 864-6070
Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com
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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 35
RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church
Pilgrim Baptist Church
Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor
Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor
9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724
700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849
Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”
Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
Blessed Word of Life Church
Church of Living Waters
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org
St. Stephen Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”
Third Street Church of God
Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors
Rev. Dr. Alice Greene Interim Pastor
Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor
Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor
4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax
3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)
5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM
1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax
Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org
Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org
Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020
421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com
“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org
Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor 800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”
Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax
Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net
St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM
Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher
“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org / E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net
Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM
Crusader Baptist Church
Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM
36 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
themcbc.org
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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com
Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org
St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon
All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards
Israel Baptist Church
Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 AM Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 PM “Where Jesus is the King”
Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor
2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!
623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org
Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith
Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor
Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor
1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288
1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org
5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005
Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM
Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"
Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42
New Commandment Baptist Church
Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor
Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor
1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964
8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240
13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560
Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM
Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM
Rehoboth Baptist Church
Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor
Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor
2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074
621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112
Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"
Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM
Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org
Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”
“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org
“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”
Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958
Shiloh Baptist Church
Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 PM Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 PM Noonday Prayer Every Thursday
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”
Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “
4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net
Christ Embassy DC
Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com
Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study
First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Mt. Horeb Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor
Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor
Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor
9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288
602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595
2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon
www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org
Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor
Email Address: admin@pbc712.org
Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest
Holy Trinity United Baptist Church
Florida Avenue Baptist Church
Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor
Rev. Reginald M. Green Interim Pastor
Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org
St. Matthews Baptist Church
Emmanuel Baptist Church
King Emmanuel Baptist Church
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Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “
Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.
MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 37
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 ADM 000206 William Rudolph Matthews aka William Matthews Decedent Tabitha R. Brown Law Offices of Tabitha R. Brown 1200 G Street SE, Suite A Washington, DC 20003 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mary Matthews, whose address is 2002 Ridge Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Rudolph Matthews aka William Matthews who died on January 9, 2016 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/12/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/12/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: March 12, 2020
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
\ SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2020 ADM 000139
2020 ADM 000195
2020 Adm 000182
James Louis Alston, Sr. Decedent
Terry Joseph Johnson Decedent
Larnell J. Mills, Sr. Decedent
Howard Haley 7600 Georgia Ave., NW, #405 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney
Johnny M. Howard 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney
Steve Larson-Jackson 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Stanley Alston, whose address is 10115 Griff Drive, Ft. Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Louis Alston, Sr. who died on May 20, 1991 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 12, 2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 12, 2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: March 12, 2020
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shirley Lee, whose address is 1100 2nd Place, SE, Apt. 410, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Terry Joseph Johnson who died on December 7, 2019 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/12/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/12/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 3/12/2020
Mary Matthews Personal Representative
Stanley Alston Personal Representative
Shirley Lee Personal Representative
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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2020 ADM 000171 Betty Jean Booker Decedent Jason A. Deloach 11414 Livingston Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jennie L. Booker, whose address is 4413 Ridgecrest Drive, Suitland, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Betty Jean Booker who died on October 29, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/12/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/12/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Larnell Joseph Mills, Jr., whose address is 647 E Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Larnell J. Mills, Sr. who died on November 6, 2013 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/12/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/12/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 3/12/2020 Larnell Joseph Mills, Jr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY
James C. Watts Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Cecile Watts, whose address is 501 Constitution Ave., NE, Apt. #6, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James C. Watts who died on December 3, 2019 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/12/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/12/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 3/12/2020 Cecile Watts Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2020 ADM 227
2020 ADM 000147
2020 ADM 000189
2020 ADM 000228
Cordell H. Hayes, Sr. aka Cordell Homer Hayes, Sr. Decedent
Stephen Abrecht aka Stephen Baxter Abrecht Decedent
Tyrone F. Brown aka Tyrone Francis Brown Decedent
Pauline B. Shell Decedent
Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
David C. Majors, Esq. 1420 Spring Hill Rd. Suite 600 McLean, VA 22102 Attorney
Kerri M. Castellini, Esq. Price Benowitz LLP 409 Seventh Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Washington Informer
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Date of first publication: 3/19/2020
Date of first publication: 3/19/2020
Jennie L. Booker Personal Representative
Joigie S. Hayes Personal Representative
Jane Linda Shenk Personal Representative
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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
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Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
2020 ADM 000105
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Joigie S. Hayes, whose address is 7503 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cordell H. Hayes, Sr. aka Cordell Homer Hayes, Sr. who died on February 12, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/19/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/19/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Janet Linda Sherik, whose address is 3821 Livingston Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stephen Abrecht aka Stephen Baxter Abrecht who died on December 6, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/19/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/19/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/12/2020
LEGAL NOTICES
Blondie B. Brown, whose address is 1385 Barnaby Terrace, SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tyrone F. Brown aka Tyrone Francis Brown who died on December 22, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/19/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/19/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 3/19/2020 Blondie B. Brown Personal Representative
Washington Informer
38 - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Veronica E. Randall / Denise A. Shell, whose addresses are 9104 Fairgreen Ct., Upper Marlboro Md. 20772/ 4318 4th St., NW, Washington DC 20011, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Pauline B. Shell who died on 12/26/2005 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/26/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/26/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 3/26/2020 Veronica E. Randall Denise A. Shell Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2020 NRT 000009
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Viola Kelly Name of Deceased Settlor
2020 FEP 000026
NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST
October 15, 2019 Date of Death
Viola Kelly whose address was 5437 C Street, SE, Washington, DC 20019 created a revocable trust on April 10, 2007, which remained in existence on the date of her death on October 7, 2019, and, Carolyn Gray, Maggie Thompson, whose addresses are, 5437 C Street SE, Washington, DC 20019 is the currently acting trustees, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to the following: Ms. C Gray, Ms M. Thompson at 5437 C. Street SE, Washington, DC 20019. The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expense of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances. Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before September 12, 2020 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1) October 7, 2020, (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) September 12, 2020, 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification.
Romelia Leah Johnson Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS David Johnson whose address is 11807 Earnshaw Court, Brandywine, MD 20613 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Romelia Leah Johnson, deceased, by the Orphans (Register of Wills) Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on February 14, 2020. Service of process may be made upon Anthony M. Bond, 4817 36th Street, NW #501, Washington, DC 20008 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 32 Galveston Place, SW, Washington, DC. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Date of first publication: 3/26/2020
This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d).
David Johnson Personal Representative
Date of First Publication: 3/12/2020
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Maggie Thompson Carolyn Gray Signature of Trustee
Washington Informer
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CL ASSIFIEDS
LEGAL NOTICES Declaration of Nationality In God We Trust Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ robinson, ladiviosia gerell© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBINSON, LADIVIOSIA GERELL© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ LADIVIOSIA GERELL ROBINSON© ”, &, Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ hutch, latasha sharea© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ HUTCH, LATASHA SHAREA© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ LATASHA SHAREA HUTCH© ”, &, Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBINSON, NODIA COMONIECH© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ NODIA COMONIECH ROBINSON© ”, &, Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBINSON, ZARITA ALORA© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ ZARITA ALORA ROBINSON© ”, collectively having reached the age of majority hereby duly affirms to declare our intention to be as our pedigree subscribes, as: Moorish American Nationals , but not citizens of the United States. We declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to the Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The united states of America, Republic ( Major ), The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, International Law, etc.. In harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and all Natural laws governing homo sapiens, we hereby Declare and Proclaim our nationality as: Moorish American Nationals. I am that I am: “ robinson, ladiviosia gerell© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, ladiviosia gerell© ”. I am that I am: “ hutch, latasha sharea© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ hutch-ali, latasha sharea© ”. I am that I am: “ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, nodia comoniech© ”. I am that I am: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, zarita alora© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: “ ROBINSON, LADIVIOSIA GERELL© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ LADIVIOSIA GERELL ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ hutch-ali, latasha sharea© ”, nom deguerre: “
Washington Informer
robinson, ladiviosia gerell© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2018 ADM 001323
Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all “ NODIA COMONIECH ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ robinson-ali, nodia comoniech© ”, nom
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Wanda Robinson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative
Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Petitioner/Attorney:
‘’ HUTCH, LATASHA SHAREA© ‘’, corp.sole Dba.: “ LATASHA SHAREA HUTCH© ”, to the depositor: “ hutch-ali, latasha sharea© ”, nom deguerre: “ hutch, latasha sharea© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: “ ROBINSON, NODIA COMONIECH© ”, corp.sole Dba.:
Alean Yon Estate of
Date of first publication: 3/26/2020
preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re:
deguerre: ‘’ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: ‘’ ROBINSON, ZARITA ALORA© ‘’, corp.sole Dba.: “ ZARITA ALORA ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ robinson-ali, zarita alora© ”, nom deguerre: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”. All property , of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of each individual Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : “ Anointed Church of Ase Ali Trust© ”, a Unincorporated private foreign divine trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank , nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Any and All Attorneys with a License from the BAR Association are explicitly prohibited from administrating ‘’ Anointed Church of Ase Ali Trust© ‘’ property without handwritten consent from each and every trustee, after said Attorneys have furnished their Foreign Agent Registration Statement to trustees Pursuant to Public Law 75-583. All Rights Reserved. PN2020-1013-LGR-DN
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ASSEMBLY from Page 12 lence in Education. The 25-member group, nicknamed the Kirwan Commission after its chair, former University of Maryland system chancellor William E. “Brit” Kirwan, approved an annual $3.8 billion public school plan to expand early childhood, incorporate competency training for teachers and provide additional services for special education students. “The resources these kids need are in this bill,” said Del. Alonzo Washington (D-District 22) of Greenbelt, who served on the commission. “These are the best practices we have spent three years … coming up with these policies. These are about our kids.” The plan easily passed through both majority-Democrat chambers, though some Republicans still voted it, saying it’s too expensive for school districts to pay through 2030. Besides the education plan, House Minority Leader Nic Kipke said stronger crime bills and other legislation might not have passed if more public participation. Some of the final days showcased spotty feeds from the General Assembly website of committee hearings, floor debates and casting of votes. “We tried to make the best of what was a bizarre situation. The worst health crisis that any of us have ever experienced in our lives,” said Kipke, one of 12 delegates serving on a COVID-19 legislative work group. “The process wasn’t perfect.” Hogan, a Republican, can veto the education plan and any other legislation, but lawmakers can override any veto during a special session scheduled for the last week of May. Some high-profile bills were rejected before making it to the governor’s desk, such as one calling for a statewide ban of plastic bags, which will have to be reintroduced next year. “When I was driving back home and I saw those plastic bags all the way from Annapolis to my front door, it just reminded me of how important the legislation is all over the place,” said Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-District 47) of Cheverly, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate. “I look forward to working hard to get it done in our next session.” WI
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MALVEAUX from Page 24
fectious diseases by 80 percent and is still trying to make more cuts to said budget. Oh, and suppressing important information and holding press conferences about coronavirus that are evasive and filled with misinformation and flat out lies. Just because your xenophobic president calls it the Chinese virus, doesn’t mean it only affects the Chinese. Oh, and there are Black Chinese people, too, but that’s another article (see Jamaica). If you haven’t before, now is the time to practice self-care. There is no conspiracy and Black people can and are dying from this virus. Coronavirus is real and those of us who have been historically denied competent and compassionate healthcare should be the most vigilant in adhering to guidelines and mandates to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, especially to our most vulnerable populations. WI
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To make it plain, I’m not talking about skin color, I’m talking about identity. If you are African living anywhere in the world including the continent, Black American, mixed race, biracial, Hotep, Greek, GDI, hood, bougie, religious, atheist or any category of Black, there isn’t a magical pill or pigment that’s going to stop you from getting coronavirus if you come in contact with someone who has it. Even if you don’t think you have it, you very well could have it and knowingly or unknowingly spread the virus that may not be fatal to you but could be fatal to others. It is called being asymptomatic. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary uses “asymptomatic” in the following sentence to give people a better understanding of the meaning of the word: “Those measures could work slowing the spread of the virus, which is
also believed to be spread by asymptomatic people.” My point is: coronavirus will kill you and other Black people, so wash your hands and stay away from others outside of your home as much as possible, especially older folks. Listen to those in power you can trust. If restaurants, gymnasiums and other businesses are closed, stay away from them. Some restaurants are still delivering and responsible gym owners are posting at-home workouts for their clientele on the web. I’ve also heard folks saying only two percent of the U.S. population will get it. For the geniuses out there, that amounts to 6 million people, which is not a small number. As for all of the conspiracy theories, the rapid spread of coronavirus happens when your president hires a science denier as head of Health and Human Services who promptly cuts the CDC’s budget on managing in-
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BURTON from Page 24
(3) Expand Medical Flight and Ground Transportation Capacity. To strengthen our emergency and intensive care capacity, we need to rapidly put an increased number of ambulances and medical flight helicopters into service. Expanding transportation capacity must include enhanced staffing with medical personnel. The physical location of patients in medical deserts, and their health care resources should not factor into their access to transportation. Since the coronavirus pandemic is straining transportation systems there is a need to establish Uber-like emergency transportation
models that can facilitate transportation to hospitals and emergency medical facilities. Dr. Stephanie Myers, former assistant secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and national co-chair of Black Women for Positive Change, comments, “Dr. Crowder’s recommendations to address the Medical Deserts in underserved communities, is timely and urgent. Her vision should be included in the new policies being considered by federal, state and local governments. We must act fast to reduce the death rates associated with coronavirus. We are only at the beginning of this pandemic and have the opportunity now to put in place the medical capacity Americans will need.” WI
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Health care facilities and providers can quickly become accelerating vectors for the transmission of COVID-19. It is important for that reason to not only increase the number of critical beds with ventilator capability but also to physically separate COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. We need to immediately convert unused spaces into dedicated temporary COVID-19 hospitals. If that is not done immediately, patients that are ill from non-COVID-19 medical diseases can be infected by providers and other patients increasing their morbidity and mortality. Since every state in the U.S. now has empty conference centers, cruise ships, coliseums, concert halls and other large venues those unused spaces can be
converted into temporary COVID19-only hospitals. Physically separating patients is a critical step to decreasing mortality and morbidity rates.
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CROWDER from Page 24
ployed, part of the gig economy, or otherwise at the economic periphery. Furthermore, recession is inevitable. Except for grocery stores, pharmacies and banks, nothing is open. People aren’t spending because there is no place for them to spend. We don’t know how long this emergency will last — some say as long as 18 months. But we do know that recession hits Black folk, poor folk and marginalized folk harder than it hits others. We won’t see the impact of this pandemic until after the fact. But if the past is any indication, our nation will experience a harsh blow, and for African Americans, the impact will be even more jarring. WI
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There are racial differences in the incidence of diabetes, as well. African Americans are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than whites and twice as likely to die from the disease. African Americans are also far more likely to contract lung disease than whites and four times more likely to die from asthma. Tests for the coronavirus seem to be in short supply. Will there be any targeted outreach to African Americans to ensure they are tested for the virus, especially because African Americans often delay doctor’s
visits even when they are sick? Coronavirus knows no race, gender or age. When the virus first hit, medical professionals, said that older people were more vulnerable than younger ones. Now, the numbers are rising for young people, and even some children have been diagnosed with the virus. It may be churlish to point out that African Americans are likely to be harder hit than other populations. When white America gets a cold, Black America gets a fever. Inequality is hard woven into our nation’s very fabric. Thus, it is hard to imagine the coronavirus effects will be race-neutral. African Americans are more likely than others to be unem-
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ical support, the algorithm used a seemingly race-blind metric: how much patients would cost the healthcare system in the future. But cost isn’t a race-neutral measure of health care need. Black patients incurred about $1,800 less in medical costs per year than white patients with the same number of chronic conditions; thus the algorithm scored white patients as equally at risk of future health problems as black patients who had many more diseases. Because of systemic barriers, African Americans receive less health care — so the algorithm identified Black
WILLIAMS from Page 25 up my walking. In the early morning, there’s almost no one out there so I find myself relaxed, having clearer thoughts and feeling more energetic. I am organizing
EDELMAN from Page 25
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caregivers. • We’ve put together a roundup of free digital education tools that may be of interest to caregivers (non-educators) who are looking for engaging and enriching content to share with their children while at home, ranging from great videos to digital explorations, games and even full text books. And I and millions of others — and you if you are a person of faith — should continue to pray. So I share a few prayers here for a quick end to this scourge: God, make our hearts bigger our love deeper our faith stronger our hope unwavering our strength greater our efforts unceasing our voices unflinching our vision and actions Yours. ** I have turned to Thomas Merton’s wonderful prayer “The Road Ahead” again and again in many different situations as I’ve asked for guidance: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact
patients as less in need of care, creating a vicious cycle of neglect. We cannot allow this neglect to continue in the face of a deadly epidemic. We must insist that testing and treatment are available in underserved low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, and that the care is commensurate with that offered in other communities. The nation’s two-pronged response — delivering health care and economic relief — presents a unique opportunity to address bias and disparity and, and to begin to build a more equitable system. The National Urban League is leading the effort to shape the nation’s
response so that the communities hit hardest by the crisis are not overlooked. We are working with congressional leaders to ensure that coronavirus response legislation must take racial equity into account — not just in the wake of the crisis, but permanently. Black families need access to quality, affordable health care — not just now, but all the time. Schoolchildren need broadband access — not just now, but all the time. Workers need paid sick leave, paid family leave and unemployment compensation — not just now, but all the time. Times of crisis expose the cracks in an institution’s structure. Now is the time to repair them. WI
and finding things I haven’t seen for years. I’ve thrown out a lot of things that I should have thrown out years ago. I’ve also found things I wanted that have eluded me for years. I’m learning to stop saying “I’ve
got to do this” and “I’ve got to do that” all day long, knowing I can never do all the things in one day that I schedule or that just come up seemingly out of nowhere. I’m exercising patience these days and I feel great! WI
please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
ly, physically and spiritually distressed.
** God, help us to do what we have to do each day, and leave tomorrow to You. ** I end with “A Prayer for Our Time” by Rev. Frederick J. Streets, the senior pastor of Dixwell Congregational Church in New Haven and former Yale Chaplain. He is a licensed clinical social worker and the anchor and co-chaplain-in-residence at CDF’s annual Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry Spirit of All Creation: May our faith in you and one another guide us as we cannot yet see our way through this time of crisis. May our hope in you and the goodness of our neighbors strengthen us as we endure our discomforts and fears. Give comfort to all who are emotional-
Bless our health care providers and all who are taking care of those who are ill. Grant wisdom and discernment to those who are researching and searching for medicines to combat our diseases, the coronavirus and other illnesses. Help us to reassure and comfort our children and protect them from harm and danger. Grant, O God, those who lead our governments, institutions, hospitals, our schools and local organizations, safety and emergency services and us, wisdom beyond our own wisdom to contain the coronavirus; faith beyond our own faith to help us to fight our fears and strength beyond our own strength to be resilient and sustain all of our vital institutions through this time of turmoil. Although we are physically separated from one another help us, Eternal One, to maintain our social connection to one another by our creatively and ethically using social media. Help each of us to know that there is something in us stronger than fear. Birth in us a new sense of hope that will help us to rise above the clouds of despair. Grant, Eternal Love that we emerge from this time of crisis a more loving people who are more committed to the welfare of all and the earth that sustains us. Amen. WI
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